Celebrating the Life of Br. Rene

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of President Emeritus Br. Rene D. Roy, FMS, '59 this morning. Please remember the repose of his soul and his extraordinary life as a Marist Brother, which he faithfully witnessed for the past 66 years.

Funeral Arrangements

Wake

• Thursday August 6, 2026; 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM
• St. Theresa Church, 22 Plymouth St., Methuen, MA 01844

Funeral Mass

• Thursday August 6, 2026; 7:00 PM
• St. Theresa Church, 22 Plymouth St., Methuen, MA 01844
• The Mass will be live-streamed using this link.

Br. Rene's Funeral Mass Link

Burial

• Friday August 7, 2026; 12:00 PM
• Marist Brothers Cemetery, 1455 Broadway, Esopus, NY 12429
• Lunch to follow. Please email Br. Owen at boofms@gmail.com if you will be attending the Burial.

Br. Rene's Burial will take place tomorrow at the Marist Brothers Cemetery in Esopus, NY, at Noon EST. The committal service will be available to watch through the Zoom Link below.

Br. Rene's Burial Service Link

Messages of condolence may be sent to his brother, Raymond Roy, 32 Prairie Ave, Newport, RI 02840.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to either of the following:

• Central Catholic High School, 300 Hampshire St., Lawrence, MA 01841
  • The Br. Rene D. Roy, FMS, '59 Scholarship Fund (established by classmates)
• Marist Brothers Development Office, 4200 W 115th Street, Chicago, IL 60655

"All I do comes from loving the call to be a Marist Brother and living it daily with joy in my dealings with faculty and students,” said Br. Rene Roy, upon being recognized as the school's first President Emeritus at the Opening of School Liturgy in October 2018.

"Coming to Central Catholic each day is not work, but fun, joy, a pleasure without measure. I'm happy and honored with the acknowledgement and the thoughtfulness of the Board of Directors in giving me this historic honor."

The St. Marcellin Champagnat Witness to Faith Award

In 2022, Br. Rene D. Roy '59 was presented with The St. Marcellin Champagnat Witness to Faith Award.

Below is the biography that appeared in the program.

The St. Marcellin Champagnat Witness to Faith Award

Br. Rene D. Roy ’59

Campus Minister & President Emeritus, Central Catholic High School

From Lawrence, MA to Rwanda (Africa), Br. Rene Roy '59 represents decades of faith, support and love to the Central Catholic High School community and beyond, while serving the least favored and making Jesus Christ known and loved.

Over 60 years ago, Br. Rene knew that God had a plan for him when he became a Marist Brother after graduating from Central Catholic High School in 1959. He took his first Marist vows in 1961 and graduated from Marist College (Poughkeepsie, NY) in 1964. His first assignment was in the kitchen at St. Joseph Novitiate (Tyngsborough, MA) as the cook for 55 Brothers, Novices and Postulants. He then taught several subjects including Religion, French, English, Latin and Journalism at Central Catholic High School in Wheeling, WV for eight years, and joined the Novitiate Team in Cold Spring, NY for three years.

After completing The Second Novitiate in Fribourg, Switzerland followed by his four-day walk from Assisi to Rome, and two weeks walking in the footsteps of Jesus in the Holy Land, he served on the Pastoral Team at Our Lady of the Sioux Parish on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota for fourteen years (1977-91), and as the Marist Brothers Vocation Director (1991-95).

He went to the aid of the Brothers in Rwanda after the Genocide and taught English and Religion there for four years, coming home to be the Principal of Bishop Donahue High School in McMechen, WV.

After his work abroad and throughout the United States, Br. Rene returned to the CCHS campus to serve as the third President of Central Catholic (2005-09), and later served as the Vice President for Mission Effectiveness. 

He continues today as a vibrant member of the Campus Ministry team. 

In 2018, in recognition of all his life-long support of the CCHS community, Br. Rene was named President Emeritus of Central Catholic High School. Br. Rene is a living testament to the mission of Central Catholic and of the Marist Brothers. He continues to have a profound impact on so many lives, and the life of Central Catholic.

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If you'd like to share any memories or highlight the impact of Br. Rene's life, please post a comment a below.