November 25, 2018

OBITUARY: Father Joseph Norman Edward Parent, OMI

REGIONAL

BURLINGTON, Mass. — Oblate Father Joseph Norman Edward Parent, 81, died Nov. 18 in Burlington, Mass., after a period of declining health.

He was born in Springfield, the son of the late Armand and Alice (Bilodeau) Parent.

He was educated at St. Joseph Seminary in Bucksport, Maine, and at the Oblate College in Bar Harbor, Maine. He entered the Oblate Novitiate in Colebrook, N.H., on Aug. 1, 1957. He professed his first vows as a Missionary Oblate on Aug. 2, 1958, and he entered the Oblate Scholasticate in Natick, Massachusetts, where he earned his B.A. degree. He professed his perpetual vows on Sept. 8, 1961.

He was ordained to the priesthood by Oblate Bishop Louis Collignon at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church in Lowell, Mass., on Jan. 19, 1964.

He earned a master in sacred theology degree from Boston University in 1971. He later engaged in post-graduate studies in counseling, liturgy, theological spirituality and Oblate spirituality.

His ministries included campus ministry, pastoral ministry, and Oblate provincial work. He was part of the co-operative campus ministry of the Diocese of Manchester, N.H., assigned to Plymouth, N.H., State Teachers’ College. He was vicar for campus ministries at Nasson College, Maine, and a lecturer in religion. While there he also served as chaplain for the Brothers of Christian Instruction.

He served on the Provincial Council of the former Northern Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and later served as the provincial superior.

His parish ministries included two terms at St. Peter Parish in Plattsburg, N.Y., including as pastor for six years. While serving there, he served on the Priests Senate in Ogdensburg, N.Y., for five years, and provided continuing education for priests for four years.

He was pastor of Our Lady of Holy Hope Mission in Castine, Maine, and of St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish in Stonington, Maine. He served at St. Stephen Parish in Miramar, Fla., and at St. Monica Parish in Opa Locka, Fla. In Lowell, he was the pastor of Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish and he was parochial vicar of Sacred Heart and Ste. Marie parishes. His final ministry assignment was with the Oblate Lay Associates in Lowell for 12 years.

When his health began to fail in July 2014, he moved to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence in Tewksbury, Mass., where he remained until his death.

In addition to his Oblate family, he is survived by three sisters, Jeanine Boardman and her husband, Judson, of Homosassa, Fla., Marie Barillaro of Chicopee, and Madeleine Dowd, also of Chicopee; by 10 nieces and nephews, Rosemarie Boardman, David Boardman and his wife, Shirley Brooke, Michelle Boardman and her husband, Pier Larson, Michael Barillaro and his wife, Mary Cummings-Barillaro, Jeffrey Barillaro and his wife, Dawn, Steven Gaudette, Anne Smidt and her husband, Mark, Christopher Gaudette and his wife, Tara,; Brian Gaudette and his wife, Samantha, and Andrew Dowd and his wife, Michele; and by numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Services and calling hours will be in the chapel at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence, 486 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, Mass. Calling hours will be on Monday, Nov. 26, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m.. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018. Interment will take place in St. Joseph Cemetery, 96 Riverneck Road, Chelmsford, Mass.

Memorial donations may be made to the Oblate Infirmary Fund, 486 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876-2849.