Br. Donald P. Houde, CSV, passed away Sept. 29, 2021 at Journey Care Hospice in Barrington, IL. He was 91.
Br. Houde was born Oct. 5, 1929 in Bourbonnais, the son of Albert and Claire (Mercer) Houde. He was preceded in death by his parents, along with his sisters, Emily Malooly and Marilyn Houde. He is survived by his brother Adrien (Bud) Houde, his sister Marlene Thompson, his niece Cathy Bazzoni and his nephews Robert and Philip Grant.
He pronounced first vows on Feb. 2, 1952 in Arlington Heights and final vows on Feb. 2, 1955. He graduated from St. Patrick High School in Kankakee in 1947. He attended undergraduate classes at Ray Vogue School of Interior Design and the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, along with St. Ambrose College in Davenport, IA, before earning a B.A. and M.A. in English from DePaul University in Chicago.
His assignments included Secretary to the Provincial at Querbes Hall in Arlington Heights (1953-58). Br. Houde taught at Spalding Institute in Peoria (1957-67), Ampleforth College in York, England (1967-68) and Bishop Griffin High School in Springfield (1968-69). He was named principal of Alleman High School in Rock Island, IL (1969-70), Spalding Institute, (1970-72), and Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights (1972-79). He served as Director of Curriculum and Administrative Affairs for the Archdiocese of Chicago/Office of Catholic Education from 1979-1998. Br. Houde moved in 1998 to the Viatorian residence on Belden Avenue in Chicago, while serving as a sacristan and on the Arts and Environment Committee at St. Josephat Parish in Chicago. He retired to the Viatorian Province Center residence wing in 2012.
A Mass of Christian Burial took place Oct. 5 at the Viatorian Province Center, before Br. Houde was interred amongst his confreres at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, IL.