Br. Robert A. Francoeur

Alfred-Former Walsh University President Br. Robert A. Francoeur F.I.C. died on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 following a battle with leukemia. He was 84. Brother Robert Francoeur was one of Walsh University's founding Brothers and the last of the Founders living on campus. Brother Robert was the University's first Academic Dean and second President. He also taught philosophy and business ethics classes over the 47 years he spent at Walsh. Brother Robert Francoeur was a brillant scholar who labored to make Walsh a successful mission of the Brothers of Christian Instruction, said Walsh University President Richard Jusseaume. We will miss him. Born on February 3, 1923, in Fall River, MA, Br. Robert joined the Brothers of Christian Instruction at the age of 12. His love of education is what drew him to this teaching order, and that commitment to learning was to set the stage for the rest of his life. Br. Robert earned bachelor's degrees in arts and education from The University of Montreal, a master of arts degree from Boston College, a Ph. D. from the University of Notre Dame, and a law degree from theUniversity of Akron. He has also studied at the University of Fribourge in Switzerland, the University of Paris, Sorbonne, France, and the Institut Catholique in Paris.Br. Robert began his teaching career in Montreal at the young age of 18 with a third grade class. He also held teaching positions in Biddeford and Alfred, ME, and in Plattsburgh, NY. In 1958 he became Dean of LaMennais College, Walsh's predecessor, in Alfred, ME.As Robert headed off to study for his doctorate at Notre Dame in Indiana, he was given instruction to find a suitable area in the Midwest to relocate the Order's college. Br. Robert found North Canton and began laying the groundwork for what is now Walsh University.On November 17, 1960, the day when Walsh College officially opened for classes, its first dean, Br. Robert Francouer, surprised the 67 incoming students by greeting them all by name. In 1970 Br. Robert became Walsh's second president, a post he held until 1977, when he took a leave of absence to earn his law degree. He returned to the classrooms of Walsh in 1980 where he stayed for more than two decades.Br. Robert, son of Mr. Joseph Edward Francoeur and Leonie Giasson, is survived by a brother, Mr. Joseph Francoeur, and a sister, Mrs. Colette Belanger, both of Fall River, MA.Services were held at Walsh University's Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel in North Canton, OH.Donations in Br. Robert A. Francoeur's honor should be made to the Walsh University Scholarship Fund c/o Advancement Office, Walsh University, 2020 East Maple St., North Canton, OH 44720.Visiting hours will be held Thursday August 16, 2007 from 9 :00 to 10 :30 AM at the Brother's Chapel in Alfred, ME. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 :30 AM at the Brother's Chapel with Most Reverend Bishop Joseph Gerry as Principal Celebrant.Arrangements by Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter St., Sanford, ME.To leave a message of condolence please use the "condolences" tab to the left.