AUGUSTA – The Rev. Gerard W. Patenaude of Oxford Street, 92, died suddenly at his home on Friday, October 3.

He was born in Augusta on June 11, 1916, the eldest son of the late Wilfred and Lucie (Gilbert) Patenaude.

He was a graduate of St. Charles seminary and of the theological seminary, both in Sherbrooke, Quebec, where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1941. He studied at Fordham University and graduated from the University of Montreal with a master’s degree in English.

He worked as an English professor for over 40 years at the seminary and the University of Sherbrooke. For 25 of those years, he served as the band director.

For many years during the summer months, he assisted with masses at St. Francis Xavier parish in Winthrop, Our Lady of the Lakes in Rangeley, and St. Joseph’s in Bridgeton.

After 12 years of extensive genealogical research of the Patenaude family, he authored and published “A Patenaude Story,” a history book tracing the origins of the family back to the Middle Ages. This book has been read by family members throughout the world and is the official source for genealogical information on the Patenaude family in North America.

The Rev. Patenaude was an accomplished musician, playing the clarinet in the symphony orchestra of Sherbrooke.

He also taught many generations of young musicians while teaching in Sherbrooke.

He was a kind and affable man and was loved and esteemed by all of his students and peers.

On many occasions he represented the school as an emissary at multiple special events.

Friends and strangers alike gravitated toward his gregarious personality.

Due to his ability to relate to young people, he was not only a professor who contributed to the education of thousands of young men and women, he also played an important role in their formation as priests.

Many of his former students are still serving in the dioceses of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, the Province of Quebec and as missionaries throughout the world.

A further testament to his inspiration and influence lies in the fact that his former students also include political and business leaders, health professionals, researchers and writers.

He was a great role model and mentor.

Upon the death of his father, he assumed the role of patriarch for his nine siblings and their extended families. He organized many family gatherings and performed weddings, baptisms and funerals for many generations of Patenaudes. His compassionate and caring nature enabled him to relate to many generations and he took a keen interest in the lives of all Patenaude family members.

The Rev. Patenaude is survived by three brothers, the Rev. Gilbert Patenaude, Irenee Patenaude (Madeline), Dr. Raymond Patenaude (Monique); three sisters, Cecile Morin, Therese Rodrigue (Donald) and Julia Fontaine (Alberic); a sister-in-law, Alice Patenaude; 23 nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; one sister, Sister Florence Patenaude; and two brothers, the Rev. Laurent Patenaude and Dr. Robert Patenaude.