Brother Robert R. Marcotte

BROTHER ROBERT MARCOTTE, S.C., 80, (a.k.a. Brother Randal) a Brother of the Sacred Heart and a resident of Harrisville, RI since 2006, passed into eternal life on Thursday evening, February 24, 2022.  Brother Robert was born on April 1, 1941, in Fitchburg, MA, to the late Richard Marcotte and the late Rita Beauchemin.  He is survived by four siblings-- Mrs. Rachel Marcotte (Eugene) Hopkins of Milford, NH; Mrs. Ruth Marcotte (Bob) Pollentier of Schertz, TX; Mrs. Rosalind Marcotte Gregory of Mooreboro, NC; Mr. Roger Marcotte of Boston, MA; brother in law,  Bruce Amidon, Fitchburg, MA; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his sisters Mrs. Ruby Marcotte Amidon of Fitchburg, MA,  Mrs. Rena Marcotte Loughlin of Leominster, MA, and brother-in-law, Alan Gregory.

As a pre-novice, Brother Robert entered the formation program for the Brothers of the Sacred Heart on September 28, 1959, at Pomfret Formation Center in Pomfret, CT.  He became a novice on August 15, 1960, at Brothers’ novitiate in Harrisville, RI, and he professed his first vows there on August 24, 1961.  There was a great celebration when Brother Robert marked the 60th anniversary of his initial profession last August 2021.

As a native of Fitchburg, MA, Brother Robert received his high school diploma from Notre Dame High School, the Brothers school in that town, and went on to graduate with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in History from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, VT.

During his years in ministry, Brother Robert served as a math, science, social studies, and religion teacher in the lower and middle grades at the Brothers’ schools throughout New England.  A sympathetic and even-tempered teacher with an abundance of patience, Brother Robert worked especially well with students who were slow to catch on.  He spent time in the classroom at Sacred Heart School in Sharon, MA; St. Dominic High School in Lewiston, ME; Sacred Heart School in Andover, MA; Mount St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket, RI; Christ the King School in Burlington, VT; and Christ the King School in Williston, VT.  For 23 years, Brother Robert worked with young people in the classroom and then, for 22 more years, contributed to the mission as an assistant librarian, tutor, and member of the maintenance crew.  In 2006, Brother Robert “retired” to the Brothers’ retirement community in Pascoag, RI, where he worked in maintenance assisting other Brothers with the upkeep of the facilities.

Brother Robert was a man of prayer and inner peace.  He was outstanding in his manner of making visitors feel welcomed, and his hearty greetings and sincere interest in others were remarkable, revealing his own joy and enthusiasm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Brothers’ Chapel at the Harrisville residence (685 Steere Farm Road, Pascoag, RI) on Saturday, March 12, beginning at 10:30 AM.  Visitation will precede the liturgy at 9:30 AM.  Interment will take place in the Brothers’ cemetery on the residence grounds.

Donations can be made in Brother Robert’s honor to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Foundation (4600 Elysian Fields Avenue, New Orleans, LA  70122).

This obituary is also viewable online at Brown Funeral Home Facebook Page.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Brother Robert R. Marcotte, please visit our floral store.