Rev. Gilbert A. Patenaude

1919 – 2009

AUGUSTA — Rev. Gilbert A. Patenaude, 89, of Oxford Street, died suddenly at his home on Tuesday, Dec. 1, a few hours short of his 90th birthday.

Father Pat, as he was affectionately referred to by former parishioners and friends, was born in Augusta on Dec. 3, 1919, the son of the late Wilfred and Lucie (Gilbert) Patenaude. At the time of his death, he held the distinction of being the oldest living priest in the Diocese of Portland.

He was a graduate of St. Augustine School in Augusta, St. Charles Borromee College in Sherbrooke, Quebec, and did his theological studies at St. Augustine Seminary in Toronto, Ontario. He was ordained to the priesthood in Portland on June 15, 1946.

His first parish assignment following ordination was as an assistant at Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish in Skowhegan. In 1947, he was assigned as an assistant at St. Hyacinth Parish in Westbrook where he served until 1951, when he was reassigned as an assistant at St. Louis Parish in Auburn. In 1961, he was appointed Pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish in Oquossoc, which included churches in Rangeley and Stratton. While ministering at those churches, he was very instrumental in building the interfaith Richard Bell Memorial Chapel at Sugarloaf, and offering seasonal on-mountain weekend masses for skiers. In March of 1968, he was assigned as pastor at St. Catherine Parish in Norway with Bridgton as a mission church. During his tenure, he oversaw the construction of St. Joseph Church in Bridgton. In 1973, he was appointed founding pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Bridgton which included a mission church in Fryeburg. From September of 1974 until June of 1979, he returned to Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish where he served as Pastor and oversaw an extensive renovation of that church. In June of 1979, he became Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Winthrop and served that Parish until his retirement in 1989. While there, he founded the Winthrop Council of the Knights of Columbus, and oversaw the construction and programming for the Parish Religious Education Center.

In addition to his parish assignments, he was the Maine Army National Guard Chaplain from 1949 until 1956. Subsequently, he served as an Army Reserve Chaplain, where in 1972, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He served as the State Chaplain for the American Legion from 1962 to 1963 and, for many years, he was the chaplain for Abnaki Council Knights of Columbus. In his retirement, he also ministered at the Togus V.A. Hospital.

He was a lifetime member of Le Club Calumet and served as Chaplain for the club for over 10 years. In addition, Le Club Calumet honored him with La Médaille d’Honneur in 2005 for extraordinary accomplishments.

Throughout his years of active ministry as well as in his retirement, he reached out to other Christians and non-Christians. He admired people who truly lived their faith, regardless of their denomination. His ecumenical efforts started in the 1950s, when he joined another Auburn minister in holding morning services for the Boy Scouts. While serving as pastor at St. Catherine’s in Norway, he worked with area pastors to form SOMA, an organization to help serve needy people of the area. While in Winthrop, working along with Rev. Dr. Peter Misner and Rev. Edgar Jones, the Hot Meal Program and Winthrop Food Bank were started in the St. Francis Religious Education Center. Those programs continue to this day.

He possessed inordinate strength both physically and emotionally and he always put forth his best effort. He loved gardening and for many years his weedless gardens were remarkable for their perfectly straight rows and abundant produce, most of which he donated. Having been brought up in a family that loved music, he especially enjoyed singing and he performed at numerous weddings and funerals as well as in several theatrical productions. He was a Registered Maine Guide for over 40 years. He was an avid sportsman, the subject of numerous published articles. He enjoyed woodworking and built Canadian gliders for many friends and relatives. He was also a well-known and experienced dowser with 311 wells recorded. He donated all proceeds from this activity to the Winthrop Food Pantry.

He enjoyed his ministry and he loved helping people. He was a faithful servant who led by example; the testaments to his faith and leadership lie not only in the bricks and mortar at the various parishes where he served, but in the people he so dearly loved and helped on their own faith journeys.

Family relationships were especially important to him. He cherished time spent with his siblings, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and he helped them all in any way that he could.

He is survived by two brothers, Irenee Patenaude and his wife, Madeline, and Dr. Raymond Patenaude and his wife, Monique; three sisters, Cecile Morin, Therese Rodrigue and her husband, Donald, and Julia Fontaine and her husband, 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 three brothers, Rev. Gerard Patenaude, Rev. Laurent
Patenaude, and Dr. Robert Patenaude.