Br. Andre (James Armand) Picotte, OFM Conv., a Franciscan Friar of the Our Lady of the Angels Province, died peacefully on Friday, May 3, 2024.  Born in Schenectady, N.Y., on April 11, 1945, he was the son of the late Armand and Bernice (nee Flynn) Picotte. After graduating high school, James entered the formation program of the Conventual Franciscans in Watertown, N.Y., completing postulancy in 1963-64 and novitiate in 1964-65, taking the religious name Andre. He professed simple vows on August 8, 1965. During his years in simple vows, he ministered as the local director of the Franciscan Mission Association (FMA). After completing studies, he made his Solemn Profession on October 4, 1970.

From 1970-73, Br. Andre was assigned to Rensselaer, N.Y., where he served as director of the Franciscan Press. From 1973-82, he was stationed in Trenton, acting as the director of Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery. He would serve as director of Province Cemeteries for seventeen years. In 1982, he moved south to North Carolina, where he ministered for four years in Burgaw and Jacksonville as the business manager for the friars’ parish and two parochial schools. Elected province treasurer, Br. Andre moved back north to Union City, N.J., where he lived until 1990. He then spent almost three decades (1990-2019) stationed in Rensselaer, serving as province treasurer, director of Province Cemeteries, head of the province Communications Ministry, and provincial coordinator of Internet Communications. In 2019, Br. Andre moved back to North Carolina, where he remained in residence in Pittsboro until his death.

Visitation hours will be Thursday, May 9, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Immaculate Conception Church (540 Chestnut Ave, Trenton NJ 08611), with a Franciscan Wake Service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church on Friday, May 10, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Trenton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Franciscan Education Fund (12300 Folly Quarter Rd., Ellicott City MD 21042).