Obituary: Father Maurice U. Boucher, SSE
Dateline: Isle La Motte, Vermont
Father Maurice U. Boucher, S.S.E., 87, died on Sunday, August 23, 2009. Father Boucher, son of Rene and Imelda (Choquette) Boucher, was born on May 9, 1922 in St. Sabine, Quebec, Canada. He was a professed member of the Society of St. Edmund for 65 years and an Edmundite priest for over 61 years.
Fr. Boucher graduated from St. Michael’s College in Colchester, VT in 1944. Following his ordination in 1948, he was assigned to the educational work of the Society at St. Michael’s College, where he earned his Master of Arts in Sociology. During the summers from 1956 to 1964, Fr. Boucher was Director of St. Anne’s Shrine in Isle LaMotte, VT and in 1964-1965, he became Vocation Director at St. Edmund’s Novitiate, Mystic, CT. Fr. Boucher was assigned as Chaplain of South Shore Catholic High School and McDonald-Cartier Catholic High School in Quebec, Canada from 1965 to 1971, and then was assigned Chaplain of D’Arcy McGee High School until 1976. The summer of 1976 Fr. Boucher became Pastor of St. Amadeus Parish in Alburgh and St. Joseph’s Mission in Isle La Motte as well as Director of St. Anne’s Shrine; where he served for more than 40 years. He opened his heart to bring people to God and God to people and ministered to all who came. In 2002, Fr. Boucher was appointed the Spiritual Director of St. Anne’s Shine. Fr. Boucher retired on September 3, 2007 to his parents homestead on the Gore Road in Highgate Center. He was close to his family and spent two very happy years there.
Father was a longtime member and chaplain to several councils and assemblies of the Vermont Knights of Columbus and had also been an active member of the Isle La Motte Historical Society. In addition he also served many years as the Roman Catholic Chaplain to the Northwest Correctional Facility in Saint Albans Town.
Besides his brothers in religion, Father Boucher is survived by four brothers and sisters-in-law, Hertel Boucher and his wife, Andree of Montreal, Quebec, John Boucher and his wife, Anita of Swanton, Paul Boucher and his wife, Ellen of Maple Glenn, PA and Gilbert Boucher and wife, Gemma of Highgate Center, Three sisters, Claire Gabso of Shelburne, Lucille Biever and her husband Duane of Poughkeepsie, NY and Yvette Mazuzan and husband George of Springfield, VA.; a sister-in-law, Madeline Boucher of Saint Albans as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by brothers, Brother Laurent Boucher, CSC, Germain Boucher, Dr. Bernard Boucher; a brother-in-law John Gabso and a sister-in-law, Rita Boucher.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, August 28, 2009 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at The Kidder Memorial Home, 89 Grand Avenue, Swanton, VT, (802-868-3331. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 11a.m. at St. Anne’s Shrine, 92 Saint Anne’s Road, Isle LaMotte. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Isle La Motte, VT.
In lieu of flowers and in Honor of Father Boucher, S.S.E., donations are requested to support the Shrine which he loved and served for many years. Gift in honor of Fr. Boucher should be sent to: St Anne’s Shrine, P.O. Box 280, 92 St. Anne’s Road. Isle La Motte, VT 05463-0280.
To offer private online condolences please visit:
wwwkiddermemorialhome.comThe Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, at 11 a.m. from the Chapel at St. Anne’s Shrine. The Very Reverend Michael P. Cronogue, SSE, Superior General for The Society of St. Edmund, was the principle celebrant and Father Raymond J. Doherty, SSE the homilist. Also concelebrating were 30 priests from The Society of St. Edmund and The Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington. Assisting as Deacons were The Reverend Mr. Alan Vincelette and The Reverend Mr. Stephen Ratta. Brother Francis J. Hagerty, SSE and Brother Lino Oropera, SSE served as Ministers of the Altar.
Present in the Sanctuary, offering sincere and passionate words to the congregation as well as praying The Prayers of Final Commendation and Farewell, was The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, Bishop of Burlington. Father Daniel E. White was Chaplain to the Bishop. Music was provided by a combined choir from various parishes throughout the Lake Champlain Islands under the direction of Maurice Gauthier and accompanied by organist, Carol Pellerin.
A large guard of honor was formed by 50 members of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus from throughout the State of Vermont led by Vermont State Secretary Thomas Curran. The White Funeral Pall was draped over Father Boucher’s casket by brothers, Hertel and John Boucher, and sisters, Yvette Mazuzan and Lucille Biever. The Crucifix was then placed by brother and sister-in-law, Gilbert and Gemma Boucher. All of the children in the congregation were then invited to place a Rose on Father Boucher’s casket. The Old Testament Reading was proclaimed by nephew, Patrick Boucher and The New Testament Reading by, Father Brian J. Cummings, SSE. The Intercessory Prayers were read by Sister Mary Anne Gour FCSJ. The Offertory Gifts were presented by Helena and Joseph Haffley and Mona Read. Following communion, Special Words of Remembrance were shared by Father’s brother, Paul Boucher.
Among the large delegations in attendance were representatives from the Vermont Senate and House of Representatives, St. Michael’s College, Daughters of Charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Daughters of the Holy Spirit, Sisters of Providence, Religious Sisters of Mercy, The Society of St. Edmund, Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington Bishop Brady Center, Staff of St. Anne’s Shrine, Isle La Motte, Alburgh and North Hero Town Offices, Isle La Motte, Alburgh and Highgate Historical Societies, Fletcher Allen Health Care, Northwestern Medical Center, Office of Doctor Michael J. Corrigan, Wood & Kidder, Inc, The Total Home Center, Vermont Furniture Galleries, Swanton Chamber of Commerce, Isle La Motte, North Hero, Highgate and Swanton Memorial United Methodist Parishes, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Missisquoi Valley Union High School, Mary S. Babcock and Swanton Central Schools, Alburgh, Grand Isle and Highgate School Districts, Northeastern Clinton Regional High School, Swanton Village Apartments, Desorcie’s Market, Missisquoi Valley Rescue, The Heald Funeral Home, Grand Isle County Court, Vermont Precision Tools, GTM Electric, Choiniere Electric, Franklin County Home Health Agency, Franklin County Rehab Center, Christopher Advertising, Wake-Robbin Senior Residence, Senesac Memorials, Modern Woodsmen of America, Isle La Motte Country Store, Chittenden Bank, Boucher Fertilizer, M&T Sand and Gravel, Grand Avenue Enterprises, Coldwell Bankers-Island Realty, Ed Bousquet Construction, Porter’s Bike Shop, Armand Messier Recording Studio, Poissant Auto, Swanton Rexall, The Paquin Group, Rachel’s Styling Studio, Total Yard Care and Snowplowing, Irick’s Excavating, Tuttle’s Trucking, Bourdeau Brothers, Gadue’s Dry Cleaning and many parish communities throughout the Burlington, Ogdensburg and Sainte Jean and Montreal Quebec Dioceses.
The Rite of Committal and Interment followed in St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Cemetery with Father Cronogue assisted by Fathers Marcel R. Rainville, SSE and Thomas D. Nadeau and Deacons Vincelette and Ratta reading the committal prayers. The bearers, all nephews, were Pierre, Mark, Giles and Denis Boucher, Michael Mazuzan and Gary Gabso. Following The Prayers of Committal, a reception was held for family and friends in the St. Anne’s Shrine Center hosted by The Society Of St. Edmund and Shrine Staff.
During the Friday afternoon visitation prayers were offered by The Most Reverend Kenneth A. Angell, Bishop Emeritus of Burlington assisted by The Reverend Monsignor John R. McSweeney. Father Cronogue conducted a Vigil Service on Friday evening and several family members and friends offered words of remembrance including Gemma Boucher, John Boucher, Helena Haffley, Peter Bergeron, Deacon Alan Vincelette and James Stace.
Private on line condolences may be directed to the family by way of:
www.kiddermemorialhome.com.
