Brother Jean Sobert, S.C. (1937-2012)

Brother Jean, a founding member of the Brother Martin faculty, died from cancer September 23.

Brother Ivy LeBlanc, former principal and president of Brother Martin, first met Brother Jean at age 16 when the Vocation Director visited Catholic High.

It is inconceivable to think Brother Martin could have had the success it has enjoyed without him. Next to Brother Martin himself, he was clearly the most recognizable person related to the school.

• Brother Jean was the face of Brother Martin in the community. For decades, because of his work as Admissions and Alumni Director, numerous people thought of Brother Jean when they heard the name Brother Martin High School.
• More importantly, Brother Jean was the heart of Brother Martin, personifying the charism of the founder of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, Father Andre Coindre, also known for his uncanny remembrance of names. Brother Martin President John Devlin: We talk about the Brother Martin Family. We've been using that term in Admissions for years. More than anyone else, Jean is the person that made people feel that way. Not just the kids, but adults. He was overwhelmingly welcoming. It was part of his personality.

 
John Devlin, Brother Jean, and Brother Ivy in 1999 when Brother Jean
received an award for 31 years of service to Brother Martin.

Brother Jean kept the school focused on its primary mission.

• He served on the school administration in 1984 when John joined it.

We talk about the four elements of our charism at Brother Martin: Catholic tradition, academic excellence, friendly discipline, and personal attention. Jean made sure we didn't just give that fourth one mere lip service.

One of the things he imparted to me in my role as disciplinarian was to make sure that each kid I punished knew that I may not like his actions, but I still loved him.

• Typical of countless tales is that of Development Director Tommy Mitchell ('79). While in elementary school, Tommy attended a Crusader football game with his father, uncle, and two cousins. Brother Jean welcomed them under the stands at Tad Gormley Stadium.

Two summers later, I came to Coach Conlin's Football Camp. Walking into the gym one day, I hear someone say, "Good to see you at Brother Martin, Mr. Mitchell." It was Brother Jean. "Tommy Mitchell, right? Frank and Bob Verges' cousin; your dad's Vince, and he and their dad are brothers. I'm glad you took us up on the offer to come and do something at Brother Martin." I was strongly learning toward Brother Martin, but that sealed the deal.

Brother Jean's personal attention continued beyond Tommy's graduation.

On graduation night, as we were waiting for the ceremony to start, Brother Jean came up and said, "Congratulations." I said, "Thank you, Brother. It was five great years for me." He replied, "It was five great years for us also. I have a feeling you're gonna come back and work for us one day."

When Tommy did return to Brother Martin as a teacher and coach years later, Brother Jean reminded him, I told you this would happen some day.

Brother Jean spearheaded the school's fund-raising efforts that produced the Ridgley Center, the Meyer Building, and the Branton Chapel.

• Brother Ivy: We did development work for 25 years before we asked for a penny. That was all Jean's work, building relationships, cultivating friendships, uncovering people, convincing them that we were worth their investment in the future. He was never a pushy fund-raiser. He was about raising relationships. The money thing was way down the line when the time was right. And he determined when the time was right. I don't know of any donor who felt that all we wanted was his money.
• Stories abound of surprise donations directly tied to Brother Jean's personal touch. In the 1970s, an Aloysius grad came from another state for the Alumni Steak Barbeque. Brother Ivy: He paid for his $6 ticket with a $6,000 check. Jean called him and told him we were overwhelmed. The grad said, "You were so nice to me while I was waiting in line. I just had to send you a signal that I've got a lot of money, and you may be interested in talking to me. I will never make a pledge to Brother Martin. But every year I'll send you something." He's never sent us less than $30,000 a year, endowing four scholarships.
• John Devlin: He planted the seed for the Bellinger Endowment. Jean had one or two conversations with Thomas Bellinger ['39]. We didn't hear back from him. But when he died, we were in his will for $3 million. Jean reminded him of the Brothers' impact on him and rekindled his love for the Brothers.

Through it all, Brother Jean stayed humble.

• Alumni Director Kenny Spellman ('84)

As loved as he was and as much as he got done, I can't ever remember him trying to be in the limelight. He couldn't help being in the limelight, but he never sought it.

• Kenny remembers Brother Jean's advice when he became Alumni Director.

Always make people feel like they're important because they are.

Brother Jean's legacy will live for as long as the buildings he funded stand and beyond.