LABBE ROSAIRE GAGNE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

LABBE ROSAIRE GAGNE Labbe Rosaire Gagne est decede le mercredi 23 juillet 2003 au Centre Tache, a lage de 75 ans. Rosaire, ne a Saint-Didace (Cte Maskinonge), Qc le 6 aout 1927, etait le fils de Maxime Gagne et dAldea Dubois. Il commenca ses etudes primaires a Saint-Didace, Qc (1933-1940). Il poursuivi ses etudes au College de Joliette, puis a Montreal (1940-1949) etudes de philosophie a Trois-Rivieres (1949-1951). Apres quelques annees de theologie dans la Congregation de la Fraternite Sacerdotale, il termina ses etudes au Grand Seminaire de Saint-Boniface (1954-1958). Mgr Maurice Baudoux, archeveque de Saint-Boniface, lordonna pretre le 24 aout 1958 a Saint-Didace (Cte Maskinonge), Qc. Successivement, labbe Rosaire Gagne fut vicaire et vicaire econome a Saint-Lupicin (1958-1960) cure de Sainte-Rita (1960-1961) cure a South Junction (1961-1963) aumonier au Sanatorium de Saint-Boniface (1963-1964). Il oeuvra ensuite pour quelques annees dans le diocese de Timmins: vicaire econome a Laforce, Qc (1964-1965) et a Guerin, Qc (1965-1967). Apres un temps bref de ministere a Montreal, labbe Gagne revient au Manitoba pour devenir cure de Sainte-Genevieve (1968-1971) secretaire a la Procure diocesaine pour quelque mois en 1971. Pour raisons de sante, Rosaire a pris un conge de ministere au Quebec de 1971 a 1975. On le retrouve administrateur paroissial a Saint-Arthur dans le diocese de Bathhurst en 1973; a Saint-Jogues dans le diocese de Gaspe en 1975. Il est de retour dans le diocese de Saint-Boniface en 1980 pour devenir cure a Haywood. En 1981, labbe Gagne est nomme cure a Aubigny ou il demeura jusqua sa retraite du ministere paroissial en 1997. Rosaire vint demeurer a la Residence Saint-Antoine au mois daout 2002. Il a fait un long sejour a lHopital general de Saint-Boniface a partir du mois de novembre de la meme annee jusqua son entree au Centre Tache. Labbe Rosaire etant un grand priant. Malgre une sante fragile, il gardait toujours ce desir daccomplir un ministere sacerdotal. La messe des funerailles sera presidee par Mgr lArcheveque, Emilius Goulet, p.s.s., a 14h30, le vendredi 25 juillet 2003, a la Cathedrale de Saint-Boniface. Linhumation suivra au cimetiere devant la Cathedrale. Le diocese de Saint-Boniface desire remercier la direction et le personnel du Centre Tache pour les soins prodigues avec respect et devouement envers labbe Gagne. La direction des funerailles de labbe Rosaire Gagne a ete confiee au Salon mortuaire Desjardins, 233-4949 ou sans frais 1-888-233-4949. FATHER ROSAIRE GAGNE Father Rosaire Gagne passed away on July 23, 2003, at Tache Centre. He was 75 years old. Rosaire, son of Maxime Gagne and Aldea Dubois, was born in Saint Didace (Maskinonge), QC, on August 6, 1927. Rosaire started school in Saint Didace, QC (1933-1940). He then pursued his studies at Joliette College (QC), and in Montreal (1940-1949). He studied philosophy in Trois-Rivieres (1949-1951). After a few years of theological studies with the Fraternite Sacerdotale, he completed his preparation to the priesthood at the St. Boniface Major Seminary (1954-1958). He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Maurice Baudoux, in Saint Didace, QC, on August 24, 1958. Father Gagne served consecutively in the following parishes: assistant and parochial administrator in St. Lupicin (1958-1960) pastor of St. Rita (1960-1961) in South Junction (1961-1963) chaplain at the St. Boniface Sanatorium (1963-1964). He went then to work in the diocese of Timmins: administrator in Laforce, QC (1964-1965) in Guerin, QC (1965-1967). He came back to Manitoba to become pastor of St. Genevieve (1968-1971) secretary for a few months at the Diocesan Bursars Office in 1971. Father Gagne took a leave of absence, for health reasons, in Quebec (1971-1975). In 1973, he was Parochial Administrator of St. Arthur in the diocese of Bathurst, NB; in St. Jogues in the diocese of Gaspe in 1975. He returned to the Archdiocese in 1981 to become pastor in Aubigny (1981-1997). Upon his retirement from active ministry, Father Rosaire lived in St. Boniface, then at St. Antoine Residence in 2002. Due to failing health, he had to spend a number of months in St. Boniface Hospital, till he was admitted to Tache Centre. Father Gagne was a very prayerful man. Despite a frail health, he was always determined to carry on a pastoral ministry. The funeral mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Emilius Goulet, P.S.S., on Friday, July 25 at 2:30 p.m. in the St. Boniface Cathedral. The interment will follow in the cathedral cemetery. The Desjardins Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements 233-4949, toll free 1-888-233-4949.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 24, 2003