SPENCER: Philip R. Delongchamp, 64, of 39 Clark St., died Tuesday, March 13 at UMASS-Memorial Lake Ave., after being stricken ill earlier at his home.
He leaves his brother, Gerard E. Delongchamp and his wife Mary Lou of Auburn, nephews Daniel G. Delongchamp and his wife Therese of Worcester, Jon-Michael Delongchamp and his wife Rachelle of Holden, and Timothy J. Delongchamp and his wife Bonnie of Blackstone; eight great nephews and nieces: Hannah, Ryan, Luke, Josephine, Sarah, Lilah, Frances and Gerard.
He was born in Worcester, the son of the late Emery A. Delongchamp and his mother Germaine E. (Buignet) Delongchamp, who recently died this past September.
He graduated from David Prouty High School in 1971 and Assumption College in 1975. After graduation, he joined the Augustinians of the Assumption, the Catholic brotherhood that founded Assumption College. After spending two years with the Augustinians, Phil began his teaching career in several private Catholic high schools including St. Mary’s High School in Worcester. He then returned to teach in his hometown of Spencer in 1997 at Knox Trail Junior High School as well as David Prouty High School.
“Mr. D” as his students knew him, was remembered as saying, “I see each child as a gift, and one thing I’ve done since I started teaching is I’ve kept a record of every single student’s birthday. On that day, I pray for them and I wish them a positive thought. It’s my commitment to them. I always see this profession as a vocation for me.”
“I give of myself to my students,” Mr. D said. “I want them to know I’m here to help them find their gift to the world. I don’t care what subject you teach – that’s just your vehicle to reach the students.”
During the 2008-09 school year, Phil was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award sponsored by the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Leicester. For years, Wal-Mart stores across the country have recognized teachers and donated checks in the amount of $1,000 to the teachers’ schools. Nominations for the award, according to Mr. D, came from students or parents who sent letters to Wal-Mart. Also, in 2010, Phil was honored as “Teacher of the Month” by WSRS Radio.
He was a member of St. Anne-St. Patrick Parish where he regularly lectored and served as a Eucharistic Minister. Last week, he was commissioned as a Lay Assumptionist.
Phil’s funeral will be held on Saturday, March 17 with a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Anne-St. Patrick Church, 16 Church St., Fiskdale. Friends & family attending are asked to go directly to the church. Burial will follow in Mary, Queen of the Rosary Cemetery, Spencer. Calling hours at the J. HENRI MORIN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 23 Maple Terr., Spencer are Friday, March 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Assumptionists, 330 Market St., Brighton, MA 02135 or to the The Philip R. Delongchamp Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o D.P.H.S Permanent Scholarship Fund. P.O. Box 172, Spencer, MA 01562.