Brother Mark Thornton

THORNTON Brother Mark Thornton, S.C. January 23, 1916 - February 14, 2013 Brother Mark Thornton, S.C. (Joseph C. Thornton), a Brother of the Sacred Heart, passed away in Baton Rouge, LA on Thursday, February 14, 2013, at the age of 97. He was a native of Far Rockaway, NY, and the beloved son of the late Elizabeth Reilly and Luke Thornton, Sr. Bro. Mark is preceded in death by brothers, Luke Thornton, Jr. and John Thornton and his sister, Marcella Klinck. He is survived by his nieces, Kathleen Lunamand and Karen Klinck, his nephews, Chris Klinck and Robert Klinck, and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews. Bro. Mark entered the Brothers of the Sacred Heart at Metuchen, NJ, in 1928. He started his career in education as a teacher at Menard Memorial Catholic High School, Alexandria, LA, in 1934. Three short years later, he was transferred to Catholic Boys Home, in Mobile, AL, where he added prefecting duties to his teaching responsibilities. Bro. Mark was later assigned to St. Aloysius H.S. in New Orleans, LA, in 1939 where he devoted the next ten years to classroom instruction. But, he moved into the principal's office at St. Aloysius in 1949 and spent the better part of his remaining 48 years of ministry as a school administrator. Bro. Mark served as principal at St. Aloysius H.S. (New Orleans, LA), McGill H.S. (Mobile, AL), St. Aloysius High School (Vicksburg, MS), and was the founding principal of Brother Martin High School (New Orleans, LA). He was elected Provincial Superior of the New Orleans Province of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart for two terms, from 1970 through 1976. He later served as president of St. Stanislaus College (Bay St. Louis, MS). Bro. Mark also enjoyed teaching at the Brothers' Bayou schools, E.D. White Catholic H.S. and Vandebilt Catholic H.S. Before retiring, Bro. Mark was named treasurer of the New Orleans Province. Throughout his life, Bro. Mark was known for his humble leadership, his practical wisdom, his love of God and his religious community, and his selfless dedication to the young people entrusted to his care. His keen wit, insight into complex situations and financial acumen, especially evident at the untold number of meetings he attended, were legendary. Since Bro. Mark donated his body to medical science, relatives, friends, colleagues and former students are invited to attend a memorial Mass commemorating his earthly life and celebrating his new, eternal life on Friday, February 22, 2013, at 4:00 PM in the Branton Chapel at Brother Martin H.S. (4401 Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70122). A light reception will follow in the lobby of the Meyer Math and Science Building at Brother Martin H.S. In lieu of flowers donations are preferred to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Foundation, 4600 Elysian Fields Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70122. Edmond Fahey Funeral Home in Bay St. Louis, MS.