Bro. David Bio

Marcel Denicourt, Brother David ThomasBrother David Denicourt taught one year in Canada and six years in the United States, acknowledged everywhere as a very good teacher. However; it was as a missionary that he excelled and was recognized for his leadership in education, nowhere more so than in the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean where he held top level administrative positions.David combined the talents that made him an effective, well-respected, highly-appreciated leader, one called upon in difficult situations that required savoir-faire and people skills. A Seychelles government official reported: "David is endowed with the gifts that inspire respect, confidence and reassurance in people of good faith. He is equally at ease with royalty as with colleagues and subordinates, capable of doing business with the most powerful in the government while able to communicate amiably with students and teachers, drivers and cleaners."Marcel Denicourt was born in Fall River, MA on October 18, 1927, the second child from a family of two boys. After early studies at St Anne' s Elementary and Prevost High, Marcel entered the Juniorate of the Brothers of Christian Instruction in Alfred, ME in March 1942, and the Novitiate in LaPrairie, PQ in August 1944.He returned to Alfred for his two years of Scholasticate.Though Br. Denicourt spent most of his life as a missionary, he taught three years in elem_ent ary schools, one at St. Charles Garnier in Montreal, one at St Peter's and one at Mount Assumption, both schools in Plattsburgh, NY. In 1952, in addition to teaching Math and Science at St Louis High School in Biddeford, ME, he served as novice bus driver for the athletic teams. But after only a year and a half in Biddeford, his request to serve in the missions was granted and he left for Uganda.Arriving in the middle of a school year, he was given a temporary posting at St Mary's College in Kisubi, but his first real assignment was at St. Leo's College in Fort Portal, an institution that remained his favorite in East Africa. Fort Portal lies at the foothills of the Ruwenzori Range, near Lake Mobotu (formerly Lake Albert), and Queen Elizabeth Park. The young missionary was immediately a favorite of the students who found a talented brother to teach them science, coach their athletic teams, drive their buses, stock their tables with game from the park, and never seemed to tire as he responded to their diverse needs as boarders. A good athlete, he became a recognized hunter, every Saturday providing game for two local schools, prized meat obtained with government authorization. During David's first years at St. Leo, Br. Louis Chouinard his Headmaster wrote: "Wherever he went, he was greatly appreciated for his knowledge, his devotion to duty, his great generosity, and his willingness to accept any work that came his way without any recrimination. Though St. Leo is a small school, David managed and trained an excellent football team (soccer) that defeated even larger institutions across the country. He taught five years at St Leo' s and then served as Headmaster for two years until the administration was handed over to the Holy Cross Fathers. Br David spent 1962 in Kisubi as teacher of Science and bursar of the community before being assigned to St. Thomas Moore College in Bukoba, Tanzania as Math and Science teacher. In addition to his recognition as superior t eacher, he was also known as a very competitive head coach and an appreciated hunter. He won soccer and hunting trophies for St. Thomas, and if we are to believe a fellow hunter, having killed a buffalo and a lion, each with one bullet to the head.After three years at Bukoba, he was granted a sabbatical leave at the Catholic University in Washington, D.C. to pursue graduate studies in Physics . The leave was interrupted mid-way by the accidental death of Br. Ernest in Kisubi, and David's immediate return from the US to replace him for upper division Sciences at Kisubi. Unfortunately, David never had the opportunity of completing the MS. During 1967-68, David served as the last expatriate headmaster at St. Mary's College in Kisubi, trying times in the early years of freedom in Uganda, times of conflict under President Obote. In 1969 , the headship of institutions controlled by the Brothers of Christian Instruction was handed over to native members of the Uganda Province. David spent three weeks mentoring his replacement, Br. Antony Kyemwa's and remained Assistant Provincial and Provincial Treasurer. Since he had also accepted to teach Science at St Mary's College, he spent mostweekends on the road travelling to various communities to assist local bursarsmost of them novices in their work. He often confronted undisciplined,inebriated soldiers at unexpected checkpoints, but always managed to be sent on his way without incident. Brother David was posted to the Seychlles lslands Christmas Day 1974, his new home for the next twenty five years.As customary, he served as Math and Science teacher at the Seychelles College and the following year with the _Headmaster's retirement, he was named hisreplacement. Two years later at the Islands' Independence, David graciously relinquished the leadership of the institution to a Seychellois. Br. Robert Smyth wrote at the time: "One remarkable trait of Br David is his ability and willingness to move from one level of responsibility to another without any difficulty; adaptability is a sign of intelligence, and Br . David is eminently adaptable."Br. Denicourt arrived in the Seychelles Islands at a time of transition when the country was undergoing the educational changes mandated by "The Education Reform Act of 1979". He was soon added to the planning and steering committee and two years later appointed Assistant Director of Studies for all post-secondary vocational institutions on the islands, planning and coordinating the curricula of ten separate departments.A year later, upon the recommendation of President Rene, he was promoted to Deputy-Director of the National Youth Services, an organization administering the human, physical and financial resources for 2,500 students served by a staff close to 500. His responsibilities included providing food and shelter for everyone, and coordinating the orderly services and maintenance of the four-island operation with a yearly budget of over $10,000,000. The service organization for youth was not without its critics as some viewed it as a socialist enterprise. Nevertheless, David kept his position, proud that the Church was present at a level that could influence youth for good. By this time, David had proven himself to everyone's satisfaction so when the country was granted a major World Bank loan to provide an adequate educational infrastructure for its increasing enrollment he was selected to chair the project.Since all existing facilities were to be renovated and ten new schools built, the project focused pavid's activities during the last ten years of his service to the Seychellois people.