Brother Thomas Petitte, F.M.S.'s Obituary
Brother Thomas Petitte, FMS, a member of the Marist Brothers of the Schools for 58 years, died on December 17, 2021, in Lawrence, MA after battling several medical complications.
Brother Tom was born in Camden, NJ. He became a postulant with the Marist Brothers in 1963 and entered the Marist Brothers Novitiate at Tyngsboro, MA in 1964. He professed first vows in 1965. After completing his religious and academic studies at Marist College, Poughkeepsie, New York, he began his ministry serving as a teacher at Marist High School in Eugene, OR. He also taught at Central Catholic in Wheeling WV (1969-72), Fr. Matignon HS in Cambridge, MA (91-93) and Malden Catholic HS in Malden, MA (93 -12). He served as a Dean at Central Catholic in Lawrence (1972-81) and was the Founder and Director of Lazarus House Ministries (83 – 93). He was a Pastoral Associate at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Peabody, MA (05 – 12) and Volunteered for several summers with the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India.
He professed his final vows in 1970. He earned an MA Degree from the University of Notre Dame and an Honorary Doctorate from Merrimack College in N. Andover, MA.
Br. Tom is survived by his two sisters, Beth and MaryAnn and a brother, Philip.
A Funeral Mass for Brother Thomas will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1 Margin St., Peabody, MA, 01960. Visitation will take place at the Church prior to the Mass starting at 10:30 A.M. Burial will take place on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at 11:30 A.M. at the Marist Brothers Cemetery, 1455 Broadway, Esopus, NY, 12429. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Brother Tom's name to Lazarus House Ministries, 412 Hampshire St., Lawrence, MA, 01841. To send an online condolence or for more information, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.
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