Bro. Irenee Chabot S.C.

BROTHER IRENÉE CHABOT, S.C., 90, a Brother of the Sacred Heart and a resident of North Smithfield, Rhode Island, since 2020, passed into eternal life at St. Antoine’s Residence (Nursing Home) on Friday, April 17, 2026. Brother Irenée was born Joseph Raymond Irenée Chabot, on September 15, 1935, in Lewiston, ME, to the late Alfred Chabot from St. Clare, Dorchester County (Canada) and the late Cécile Lalonde from Auburn, ME. He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his siblings: Marcel (Joanne) Chabot, Gerard (Pauline) Chabot, Joseph Chabot, and Rev. Robert Chabot, SSS. As a young man, Brother Irenée entered the formation program for the Brothers of the Sacred Heart at the juniorate (high school) level at Winthrop, ME, on January 5, 1949. He became a novice in August 1952, at Harrisville, RI, and he professed first vows at Mount St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket, RI, on August 24, 1953. His perpetual profession took place back in Harrisville, RI, on August 24, 1959, and in 2023, there was a great celebration when Brother Irenée marked the 70 th anniversary of his first profession. Brother Irenée prepared for his years as a professional religious educator by earning two degrees: a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, VT, in 1960, and a Master’s degree in Music Education from University of Massachusetts in Lowell, MA, in 1983. He also pursued further music studies at Barrington College in Barrington, RI, in 1983. During his 40-years of active ministry, Brother Irenée served as a primary, middle-school and high school teacher, band director, lecturer, novitiate staff member both in the U.S. and Africa! While Brother Irenée could be found in classrooms at Sacred Heart Academy (Vine St. in Nashua, NH); Mount Saint Charles Academy and St. Columba’s College (St. Albans, England), he devoted 29 years of his life to serving as a teacher, formator and bandmaster in Zambia. One of the real highlights of Brother Irenée’s ministerial career was when he was able to bring his band from Malole, Zambia, to Nairobi, Kenya, to perform for Pope John Paul II’s visit to that country. Irenée modeled for others throughout his life what being a gentle, humble man of prayer is all about. He was a role model for Brothers of all ages, but especially for the young in formation. Irenée devoted himself to serving others, and in his retirement continued his selfless service by visiting the sick, bringing Communion to the homebound, and making sandwiches for the poor. As a true musician, Irenée lived his life as a melody, always in tune with the presence of the God of charity and compassion. Faithful to the end, he accepted with resignation his final six years in a nursing home where he continued to minister to others by his peaceful presence. Brother Irenée is survived by Brother Irenée is survived by several siblings, including Rev. Roger Chabot, Thérèse Chabot, Jacqueline Rosignol, Rachel Telow, Pauline (David) Wiesen, Richard (Stella) Chabot, and several nieces and nephews. A wake and Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Brother Irenée on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in the Chapel of the Brothers’ residence in Pascoag (685 Steere Farm Road., Pascoag, RI 02859). The wake will begin at 10:00 AM followed by the Eucharistic Liturgy at 11:00 AM. Following Brother Irenée’s interment in the Brothers’ cemetery on the Pascoag residence grounds, lunch will be served in Coindre Hall for all who join in the celebration around 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Brother Irenée’s honor to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Foundation (P.O. Box 8134., New Orleans, LA 70182 USA).

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