Mark D. Couture

Brother Mark D. Couture 1934-2024 ALFRED—Brother Mark D. Couture, 89, a Brother of Christian Instruction for 70 years, died peacefully on Friday October 11, 2024 in Sanford. The son of Donat and Rita (Prefontaine) Couture, Mark was born in Somersworth, New Hampshire on Sunday December 1, 1934. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School in Sanford in 1953 and joined the Brothers of Christian Instruction, soon after. Brother Mark obtained a bachelor’s degree from LaMennais College. In 1954, Brother Mark began his novitiate studies at Oka, Quebec where he pronounced his first vows. In 1959, he made his final commitment. His first teaching assignment was at Mount Assumption in Plattsburgh, NY where he taught American History and Political Science for 21 years. He also taught three years at Msgr. Prevost High School in Fall River, MA. During the 1974-75 school year, he attended the second novitiate in Rome. While visiting in France, he wrote,” To be Ploermel is a dream come true. To kneel next to the founders tomb, (Venerable John Mary de la Mennais); to ask his help to be a better religious is certainly a privilege as it is a blessing to be a Brother of Christian Instruction.” Since 1986, Brother Mark has been busy on the Alfred Campus as a groundskeeper in summer and doing snow removal in winter until his retirement in 2021. Brother Mark was predeceased by his parents, Donat and Rita Prefontaine Couture Bernier; his stepfather, Camille Bernier; his siblings Dick Couture and Jackie as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by cousins, Mike and Rachel Prefontaine and their daughter, Ericka Sanborn and her husband Patrick and their daughter, Margaret and his religious family. Visiting hours will be at the Brothers of Christian Instruction in Alfred Wednesday October 16 beginning at 4:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday October 17 at 11:00 am with burial to follow in the Brother’s Cemetery.