February 17, 2011

Diocese saddened by unexpected death of Father Victor Carrier, Springfield pastor

 

REGIONAL

UPDATED February 18, 9:55 a.m.

SPRINGFIELD – Parishioners of Holy Cross Parish in Springfield, and many others throughout the Springfield Diocese, were saddened to hear Thursday morning of the unexpected death last Wednesday evening of Father J. Victor Carrier, 67.

Father Carrier was born in Springfield on June 22, 1943, and raised in Chicopee. He was the son of the late Joseph Aurelle and Maria Agna (Daunais) Carrier. He graduated from the former Precious Blood High School in Holyoke in 1961 and attended St. John Vianney College, Montreal, Canada; the Seminary of Philosophy, Montreal, Canada; and St. John Seminary, Brighton, Mass.

He was ordained on May 3, 1969 at St. Michael’s Cathedral, Springfield, by Springfield Bishop Christopher J. Weldon.

Pastor of Holy Cross since 2003, Father Carrier also served as pastor of St. Anne Parish in Chicopee from 1995-2003 and the former Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Holyoke from 1985-1995. He had also served as an assistant in Mt. Carmel Parish, Ware; Blessed Sacrament Parish, Northampton; St. Theresa Parish, South Hadley; and St. Rose de Lima Parish, Chicopee.

In 1977, he was appointed chaplain for campus ministry at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley and also served the Springfield Diocese as an advocate and notary. He also served on the Budget Advisory Committee and the Diocese Budget Committee.

Father Carrier will lie in state at Holy Cross Church, 219 Plumtree Rd., Springfield, MA 01118 on Sunday, Feb. 20 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., followed by a prayer vigil service at 4 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Cross Church, Springfield on Monday Feb. 21 at 10:30 a.m. by Springfield Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell. The burial will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen St., Chicopee, MA 01020.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Holy Cross Parish, 221 Plumtree Rd., Springfield, MA 01118.