Father Theodore Letendre, FIC

Father Ted LetendrePlease pray for the repose of the soul of Brother Theodore Letendre, a member of the Brothers of Christian Instruction, who died on May 5, 2023, at the age of 83. 

Born in Fall River, Mass., in 1940, he began his religious formation on the campus of Notre Dame Institute in Alfred in 1953 and made his final vows as a Brother of Christian Instruction in 1964.

He began his teaching career at Denis Hall Junior High School in Alfred, then served as a guidance counselor in Fall River.

After receiving his master's degree in counseling and psychology, he became director of admissions and campus minister at Walsh College (now University) in Canton, Ohio. He then became director of the Brothers' Mission of the Risen Lord in West Virginia.

In 1995, he was chosen to serve the chaplaincy needs of the community and began studies for the priesthood. Bishop Joseph Gerry, OSB, ordained him on August 9, 1997, and from that point until 2008, he was the chaplain and director of the Notre Dame Spiritual Center in Alfred. For several years, he also served as chaplain at the University of New England in Biddeford and the York County Jail in Alfred.

Father Ted loved people. He was always willing to lend a helping hand or listen to someone who needed to talk. He continued to offer Mass in the brothers’ chapel in Alfred up to the end, when his health allowed. He will be greatly missed by the brothers and the community that formed around Alfred.

The reception of Father Ted's body will be on Thursday, May 18 at 3 p.m. in the Brothers' Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel in Alfred. The wake will follow from 3 to 7 p.m. with a wake service at 6:30 p.m. Bishop Robert Deeley will celebrate Brother Ted's funeral Mass on Friday, May 19, at 10:30 a.m. at the brothers' chapel. Burial will follow immediately in the brothers’ cemetery on the property.

Please remember in your prayers the Brothers of Christian Instruction, Father Ted’s family, and his many friends.

May his soul and the soul of all the faithful departed rest in peace.  Amen.