Br. Gerard M. Lamarre, CSV died on Wednesday, May 12, 1999 at the Merkle-Knipprath Nursing Home in Clifton, Illinois at the age of 92.
A native of Bourbonnais, Illinois, Gerard Lamarre was born on May 7, 1907, the son of William and Marie Louise. He entered the Viatorian Novitiate in 1923 and pronounced his First Vows on August 16, 1924, almost 75 years ago. Following his graduation from St. Viator College, Brother Lamarre began a life long career in Catholic education. His earliest teaching assignments included time at Cathedral Boys High School, St. Patrick High School in Kankakee and the Fournier Institute in Lemont. In 1961, he began teaching at St. Viator High School and then returned to Bishop McNamara High School in Kankakee from 1966 to 1974. On August 16, 1974 he was severely beaten and robbed behind Immaculate Conception Parish in Kankakee and suffered permanent paralysis on his right side. Following his hospitalization, he lived at Sacred Heart Rectory in Goodrich and then moved to the Province Center residence in 1983. After a brief stay there, he moved to Merkle-Knipprath Nursing Home where he lived until the time of his death. An outstanding educator and a dedicated teacher, Brother Lamarre committed his entire life to learning and helping young people discover the wonders and importance of education.
Visitation was held at Maternity BVM Parish in Bourbonnais on Sunday, May 16, 1999 from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m., with a prayer service held at 7 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Maternity BVM Parish on Monday, May 17, 1999 at 11 a.m. Burial was in the Community Plot at Maternity BVM Cemetery following the Mass.
Brother Lamarre was preceded in death by his parents, William and Marie Louise, his sisters, Sr. Pauline Lamarre, CND and Genevieve McDonald. He is survived by his sister, Sr. Madeleine Lamarre, CND and his brothers Joseph and Francis.
I ask each local community to remember Brother Lamarre in your prayers and to gather together in your local communities to remember him in Eucharist.
Taken from letter to the Viatorian Community, May 13, 1999, from the Provincial, Rev. Robert M. Egan, CSV