Brother Leon Joseph Cyr

Leon Joseph Cyr, a.k.a. Brother Leon, a religious Brother of the Sacred Heart, died Monday, July 19, 2021, at Overlook Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Pascoag, RI.    The second of three children of the late Anthem and Nelida Cyr, Leon was born on March 5, 1935, in Grand Isle, Maine.  He was 86 years old.

Brother Leon entered the Institute of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in Pomfret, CT, on September 6, 1952.  He professed his first vows on August 24, 1955, in Pomfret, and his final vows on June 25, 1961, at Mount Saint Charles Academy in Woonsocket, RI. He received both a Bachelor’s degree in history and a Master’s degree in the teaching of religion from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, VT, and an advanced certificate in Applied Theology from the University of California at Berkley, to assist him in serving the people of God throughout his 66-years as a Brother of the Sacred Heart.

In 1956, Brother Leon entered the elementary school classroom, teaching all the subjects to his 5th, 6th and 7th grade students. He eventually moved on to the secondary school classroom where he instructed students in history, religion, math and French. Leon also ministered as a Campus Minister and Alumni Director for many years, and he directed the Brothers’ Volunteer Service Community for three years. His entire 39-year teaching career of was spent ministering in the Brothers’ schools in Rhode Island (Mount St. Charles Academy), New Hampshire (St. Louis School and Bishop Guertin High School), and Maine (St. Andre School).  Leon retired from classroom teaching in 1995 and gave his all in service to his community as the Brothers’ Director of Vocations and as Provincial Archivist.  He lived his final 26 years in the Brothers’ retirement residence in Pascoag, Rhode Island.

Brother Leon will be especially remembered for his work with Glee Clubs, the many school musicals he directed, and the hundreds of pounds of fudge he made and sold at Christmas time as in support of the schools’ fund-raising efforts.

Brother Leon was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert Cyr, of Madawaska, ME. He is survived by his sister, Anne Cyr Daigle of Forestville, CT, her stepson, Brian Daigle, and a host of cousins. 

A wake will be held for Brother Leon in the Brothers’ residence chapel at 685 Steere Farm Road, Pascoag, RI 02895 on Saturday, July 24 from 9 AM until 11 AM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated immediately following the wake at 11 AM, at the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Retirement Center, 685 Steere Farm Road, Pasocag, RI.   Interment will be in the Brothers’ cemetery in Pascoag.   A light meal will be served to continue the celebration of Brother Leon’s life and ministry.

Memorial donations: Brothers of the Sacred Heart Foundation, 4600 Elysian Fields Avenue, New Orleans, LA  70122 Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home in Oakland.

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