Brother Louis Joseph Laperle

Brother Louis Joseph Laperle, S.C, a.k.a. Brother Philip, a religious Brother of the Sacred Heart, died, at Overlook Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Pascoag, Rhode Island, on Thursday, October 7, 2021.  Born in Worcester, MA on May 23, 1928, Brother Louis was a son and one of six children of the late Hector Joseph Laperle and Mary Alphonsine Hedge.  He was 93 years old.

Brother Louis entered religious life from Holy Name of Jesus School in Worchester, MA in 1946.  He professed his first vows in 1948 and his final vows in 1954, both at Mount Saint Charles Academy, Woonsocket, RI.  A scholar by all accounts and a well-rounded individual, Brother Louis earned a BA degree in History and English from Spring Hill College, Mobile AL (1951), an MA in Teaching Chemistry from St. Michael’s College, Winooski, VT (1958), and an MS in Administration from the University of Notre Dame (1977).  He also received a Certificate of Canon Law from the University of San Francisco (1969) and pursued advanced studies in physics, calculus, music education, and the field of education.  Brother Louis was probably most known for his expertise in the areas of accounting and finance, the knowledge of which served him well in his 65 years of ministry as a Brother of the Sacred Heart.

During this first 23 years of his professional life, Brother Louis ministered as teacher and principal in Andover, MA; Pomfret, CT; Woonsocket, RI; Lewiston, ME; and Fitchburg, MA.  The second part of his ministerial career was spent in the administration in the New England Province.  Brother Louis employed his expertise in various roles, like Province Executive Assistant of Finances, Provincial Secretary, Province Development Director, Director for Beatification of Brothers Norbert and Polycarp, Director of the Association of Prayer Program, and Director of the Volunteer Program at MSC.  He retired to the Pascoag community in 2010 but continued working with the Association of Prayer and promoting the causes for sainthood of two men in his community, i.e., Brothers Polycarp and Norbert.

In conjunction with his community services, Brother Louis maintained a number of memberships in professional and religious organizations, including the National Association of Religious Brothers (NARB) and the Tri-Conference for the National Appeal for Religious (TRCO), as well as serving as consultant and vice-president for the National Association of Treasurers of Religious Communities (NATRI) and chair for the Conference of Regional Treasurers (CORT), just to name a few.   This generous Brother was especially proud of his participation on the Boards of Directors of Mount Saint Charles Academy, Woonsocket, RI, Bishop Guertin High School, Nashua, NH, and Notre Dame High School, Fitchburg, MA. 

Brother Louis will be remembered for his prudence, humility, calm demeanor, quick wit, ready jokes, love of music, and consummate professionalism in all his endeavors.  His expertise in finances helped put his own community, as well as, a number of others and various dioceses in the New England area on sounder financial footing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Armand and Raymond Laperle.  He is survived by his sister, Claire Laperle Halvey of Auburn, MA, a brother, Paul (Kathleen) Laperle of Spencer, MA, another brother, Rev. Theodore Laperle, a priest in the Diocese of Worcester, MA, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A wake will be held for Brother Louis at the Brothers’ residence chapel, 685 Steere Farm Road, Pascoag, RI, from 9 AM to 11 AM on Saturday, October 16.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated immediately following at 11:00 AM.  Interment will be in the Brothers’ cemetery in Pascoag.  A light meal will be served to continue the celebration of Brother Louis’ life and ministry after the services.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to:  Brothers of the Sacred Heart Foundation, 4600 Elysian Fields Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70122.

Funeral Services will be held at a later date.

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