Br. Andre Millette

Brother Andre Louis Millette (in religion Roger Edmund), 94, died peacefully at home on the Notre Dame campus, Alfred, ME on Sat. Aug. 22, 2020.The son of Edmund and Alice (Menard) Millette, Andre was born in Biddeford, ME on Oct. 2, 1925, the third of 10 children. At 13 he became a student of the Brothers on Christian Instruction in Alfred, ME and upon completing his high school, he entered the novitiate in La Prairie, QC in August of 1941. His religious formation climaxed with the pronouncing of perpetual vows in 1947.His professional career began in 1944 with one year teaching in Quebec Province. His long association with the Franco-American youth of New England began 1945 with an assignment to Msgr. Prevost Junior High School in Fall River, MA. He would teach in St. Ignatius in Sanford, ME (1950-'53) and in St. Louis H.S., Biddeford, ME (1953-61). As a math and science teacher he taught in Detroit Cathedral H.S. MI for 5 years (1961-'65) before returning in 1965 to Fall River, MA where he served as teacher and principal at Msgr. Prevost High School until the fire of 1968 that destroyed the facility. This occasioned the transfer under his competent leadership of the faculty and student body to the recently opened diocesan Bishop Connolly H.S. directed by the Jesuits in the city. Br. Roger/Andre was named Assistant Principal, a position he held until stepping down in 1994 to assume a number of responsibilities in the school until his retirement to Alfred on July 13, 2012. He holds the record for the longest continuous influence on Connolly High School students, staff and administration.He was a graduate of La Mennais College, ME, ('52), of Boston College, MA ('58) and the Univ. of Detroit ('64). He benefitted from several religious sabbaticals on the English Jersey Island, in Rome, Italy (1984) and in Sangre de Christo, NM.He lived a full life, marked by a "joie de vivre" and sense of humor. He was a serious and superb athlete, always interested in sports. He was most grateful for the opportunities he had to travel, especially to the Holy Land. He was a friend to all he met and greeted. Andre was recognized as an excellent educator and an exceptional friend by many. Inspired by his mother he developed his artistic talents, enjoyed music especially opera and organ concerts. From his artisan father he developed craftsmanship which many tapped when items needed repairs. Curious by nature, his days were filled with learning opportunities. One could easily please him with an opportunity for a margarita.Br. Andre was the recipient of many honors: The Fall River Diocesan Marian Medal, Fall River's Franco-American Man of the Year recognition, an award from the Jesuits Education Association and two Connolly H.S. yearbook dedications ('76 and '84).He served on the Brothers' provincial council, on the Walsh College Board and served many terms as local superior of the FR community. He found time to serve as a Eucharistic minister and as a choir participant for his Notre Dame Parish in Fall River.He is survived by a younger brother John and his wife Barbara of Houston, TX. He was predeceased by his parents, and 7 adult siblings: two brothers, Jacques and Roger and five sisters, Marguerite Ruel, Francis Rita Poirier, Myrto Barra, Suzanne Frechette and Alice Michaud.Due to the pandemic, the wake with restricted viewing will take place on Tuesday 4:30 to 7:00 in the Brothers' Notre Dame Chapel in Alfred. A private funeral for his family and the Alfred Brothers will take place Wednesday, Aug. 26 immediately followed by internment in the Brothers' Cemetery.This most beloved and admired gentle religious will be sincerely missed by the families of his many nieces and nephews and by members of his international religious family, the Brothers of Christian Instruction.In lieu of flowers, donations to favorite charities in his honor would be most appropriate.To leave a message of condolence please click on the condolences tab to the left.