Brother Mark's Obituary

January 23, 1916 ~ February 14, 2013

Baton Rouge ~ Brother Mark Thornton, S.C. (Joseph C. Thornton), a Brother of the Sacred Heart, passed away in Baton Rouge on Thursday, February 14, 2013, at the age of 97.  He was a native of Far Rockaway, N.Y., and the beloved son of the late Elizabeth Reilly and Luke Thornton Sr.  Brother Mark was preceded in death by brother, Luke Thornton Jr. and John Thornton; and a 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.

Brother Mark entered the Brothers of the Sacred Heart at Metuchen, N.J., 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, her was transferred to Catholic Boys Home, in Mobile, Ala., where he added prefecting duties to his teaching responsibilities.  Brother Mark was assigned to St. Aloysius High School in New Orleans in 1939, devoting the next 10 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.

Brother Mark served as principal at St. Aloysius (New Orleans), McGill High School (Mobile), St. Aloysius High School (Vicksburg) and was the founding principal of Brother Martin High School (New Orleans).  He was elected provincial superior of the New Orleans Province of the Brothers of the Sacred Heard for two terms, from 1970 through 1976.  He later served as president of St. Stanislaus College (Bay St. Louis).  Brother Mark also enjoyed teaching at the Brothers' Bayou schools, E.D. White Catholic High School and Vanderbilt Catholic High School.  Before retiring, Brother Mark was named treasurer of the New Orleans Province.

Throughout his life, Brother 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 of the untold number of meetings he attended, were legendary.

Since Brother 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, 2012, at 4 p.m. in the Branton Chapel at Brother Martin High School (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 High School.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Foundation, 4600 Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans, LA  70122.

Edmond Fahey Funeral Home in Bay St. Louis has charge of arrangements.

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