WYMAN TOWNSHIP – Mark Simeon Delcourt Sr., 74, known affectionately as “Mr. D” by his students, passed away at his home on Sept. 25, 2016, in Wyman Township, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on May 28, 1942 in Westbrook, the son of Roland and Helen (LeClair) Delcourt. He graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington.
Mark served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1961 to 1965. Later on in 1974, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring in 1994. On June 27, 1968, he married his beloved wife of 47 years, Diane Rioux Delcourt in Lewiston, and she predeceased him in 2015.
For 21 years, Mark was a teacher of grades 6, 7, and 8 at the Strong Elementary School. In 1991, he moved to Virginia where he also taught school and then to Dedham, Maine, where he retired from teaching in 2004.
“Mr. D” enhanced and inspired the lives of many students during his teaching career. He made learning fun because he cared. He brought a zany enthusiasm, which kept his classes interesting. He treated his students with respect, dignity and humor. He was an excellent role model with very disciplined lessons plans and attention to detail.
Mark enjoyed hunting, fishing, all sports, and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his three sons: Matthew Delcourt and wife Rebecca of Ruther Glen, Virginia, Andrew Delcourt and wife Lee’Ann of Stratton, Mark Delcourt Jr. and wife Mardi of Milford; his brothers: Michael Delcourt and wife Kathy of Standish, Jeff Delcourt of Fontana, N.C., John Delcourt and wife Lorena of Windham; his sisters: Mary Beth Delcourt of West Hollywood, Calif., Debbie Pinette and husband Paul of New Gloucester, Martha Cultrera and husband Richard of Hiram; and nine grandchildren.
Donations may be made in Mark’s memory to the Strong Elementary School, 110 North Main St., Strong, ME 04983.
A Celebration of Life with military honors will be held 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016 at the Strong Elementary School, 110 North Main St., in Strong.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington, ME 04938.
He had an affectionate nickname for all us. I will forever remember 7th grade at Strong school. Real sorry for your loss Matt,Andrew and Musket.Thanks for the memories Mr D… Luce Lips.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family- Mark was a true inspiration and a great friend- He was all that and more to our children who he help mold to the adults they are today
He was a good teacher and mentor to us. I still remember him after all these years over most other teachers. He was fair but firm with us students. He brought out the best in us.
So sad to hear! Mr D was my favorite teacher and coach😢He had a big impact on my life and I am grateful I got to see him this past spring and tell him that. My condolences to his family❤️
Andrew and Family,
My condolences to your family during this difficult time. May your memories always be cherished.
Sharon
Very saddened to hear of his passing. He was my teacher and coach, and I am left with many fond memories. He found a way to connect with every student. When he caught me drawing cartoons in class, instead of detention, he gave me cabinet doors to paint on in his classroom. Frogs of all things! 🐸😉 RIP Mr. D.
Our condolences to the family .Just was able to talk with his son Andrew recently .Dont know the family well but Andrew seems like a very fine man .Praying for your family .
I will always remember Mark. He was never my Teacher, but I grew up with Matt, Andrew and Musket. I spent a lot of my childhood at the Delcourt house in Phillips. Mark was always like another father to me. He was one of the reasons that I joined the military and help make me the person that I am today. My condolences to Matt, Andrew, Musket and the rest of of the Delcourt family. Rest in peace Mark. Thank you for service to your country and community and most of all for being a very big part of my childhood. Give Diane a big hug for me. You both will always have a special place in my heart. Godspeed Soldier.
So sorry to hear of Mr. D’s passing. He was a great teacher and coach. I have so many fond memories of 7th grade! I was so pleased to see him last December at my dad’s memorial service. My condolences to the Delcourt family.
Mark, Diane and the boys were good neighbors. Many fond memories of hanging out with the Decourts. He will be missed.
Wonderful teacher, mentor and friend. He was a great inspiration to everyone he touched. My prayers are with the family. Found memories, Chubby :)
Mr. D was an exceptional teacher and coach. I felt like he was truly invested in all of our lives. I loved how he could totally get after you without making you feel bad. I loved that he allowed you to do extra credit to make up for weaknesses and use our personal strengths to make the grade. He put his whole heart into cheering us on in sports. He was such a great motivator. We all loved him and are better for having had him in our lives. Love to his family….Big Red
Mr D. was always smiling and had a way of making every kid feel special. My condolences to the family. Mr. D, you will go down as one of Strong School’s all time greatest teachers!…. Boo Boo
I had the pleasure of teaching with Mark. He had a wonderful personality and a great sense of humor. He will be missed by all who knew him. Rest in peace,Mark.
Mr. D was a flamboyant, funny gentleman who loved his students as if they were part of his family. Mark was a tremendous motivator – a quality that separates average teachers from those few who have that innate gift for working with young people …… “The Boss”
RIP in peace Mr. D
I’ll never forget 7th grade & your “Toad” book !
I didn’t always agree with Mr. D, but he was always one of my favorite teachers. I will always remember him fondly!
So sorry for your loss.
Scott
:)
I also had the great honor to work with and be mentored by Mr D as a beginning teacher at Strong Elementary. He was ahead of his time in his approaches, with students, teaching them to think outside the box, to be problem solvers — not the problem. I learned so much from him that I applied to kids.. The biggest was to celebrate each child I worked with. As I read the tributes from former students, I smile and think what a legacy Mr D has that can be reviewed. Each has a fond memory, be it a nickname or activity.. each feels valued. I add my condolences to his family. I send prayers to heal their grief at this time and hope that they find the humor and joy in his life to get them through this tough time.
My condolences to the family. My favorite teacher and coach. A wonderful person.
Mark was a colleague, teacher, and friend. I agree with others that he was a stupendous teacher and coach. My youngest son was very upset when he left Strong the summer before he moved to Middle School. My condolences to the family.
I, too, was at the Strong School in the late “70’s. I was new and did not know all I was supposed to do. Mark would stick his head into the library or come in and see how things were going. Could he help, etc. Got me to laughing and helped me feel more at home. Had a great sense of humor. Thanks for all the memories, Mr. D.
He was a wonderful and awesome teacher. He had a good sense of humor. R.I.P. Mr “D”.
Mr. D was a very fine man.My condolences to the family. HOLLYWOOD
Mark and Diane were our neighbors in Amherst and in Wesley. They were our best friends in Maine. We miss them and will never forget them. They were both loyal and loving friends.
Oh Mr. D ~ You will always be remembered as one of my favorite teachers. You certainly did keep our studies interesting and you were always so cheerful. I remember you breaking out into song (“Oh Susannah”) when you saw me in the hallway. You encouraged your students, year after year, to be involved in theater – our class did Peter Pan.
My prayers and condolences to your family, friends, and all the lives (like mine) that you left your mark on. You will be missed.