Br. Raymond Berube

Brother Raymond A. Berube, 76, died June 8 at Varney Crossing where he had been a resident since 2008 after developing Alzheimer's Disease. Known there as Brother Smiley, he received expert care.Br. Raymond was born in Fall River, MA on August 5, 1934, a son of Albert and Yvonne (Carigan) Berube.He entered the juniorate of the Brothers of Christian Instruction at Alfred on June 22, 1949 and the novitiate of the Brothers at Oka, Quebec, Canada on August 15, 1952. He made his perpetual profession on August 15, 1958 and spent 58 years in religious life. In 1961, he graduated from LaMennais College with a BA in science and math.Brother Raymond taught in several schools including St. Peter's Elementary School in Plattsburgh, NY, St. Louis High School in Biddeford, Mount Assumption Institute in Plattsburgh, Msgr. Prevost High School in Fall River, Detroit Cathedral High School in Detroit, MI, Seychelles College in the Seychelles Islands and Bukumi Secondary School in Uganda. Brother Raymond also had a varied maintenance career which he enjoyed, mostly in the orchards at Notre Dame Institute in Alfred, Nome AK and as assistant campus manager at Walsh College in Canton, OH. Later in life he devoted time in pastoral work as a Pastoral Associate. In his retirement, he pursued with great enthusiasm his family's genealogy which resulted in over 4500 entries.Brother Raymond was truly a man of God, forgetful of himself, entirely devoted to God's people. He taught mainly in his early years and cared for youths and the elderly in pastoral and maintenance work during his later years. Even in his last years during his stay at the nursing home, he was one of the most popular persons there, always ready to take part in activities. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in Heaven" (Mt 5:12) surely applies to him.Survivors include a brother, George Berube of Leominster, MA and many nieces and nephews.The reception of the body will take place Friday at 4:30 at the Notre Dame Chapel in Alfred. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:30 AM at the chapel, where relatives and friends are invited to visit Saturday morning beginning at 9:00 AM. Burial will follow in the Brothers Cemetery in Alfred.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Brothers Retirement Fund, P. O. Box 159, Alfred, ME 04002.Arrangements are under the direction of the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street, Sanford. Condolences may be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.