February 9, 2021

Deacon Arthur Ratté dies at 83; was longtime deacon in Northfield

REGIONAL
Staff report

WARWICK — Deacon Arthur E. Ratté, 83, of Warwick, 20-year deacon at St. Patrick Parish, Northfield, died on Feb. 3.

He was born in Haverhill, Mass., on Feb. 9, 1937 to Alfred J. and M. Louise (David) Ratté.

He graduated from Merrimack College with a bachelor of arts degree in economics in 1958. He earned a master of education degree from Salem State College in 1967.

He married Ann Bialock in 1963 and they were married for 50 years before she died in 2013. They shared a love of music and sang in choral groups for many years. They and their three children were active members of St. Patrick Parish in Northfield.

He taught mathematics at Austin Preparatory School and worked in early computer programming at Honeywell. In 1976, he left Honeywell to teach computer programming at the newly built Franklin County Technical School in Turners Falls. He purchased a modest plot of land and moved his family from North Andover to Warwick. He designed and built a 16-sided passive solar home with his brother Roland, who also worked at the technical school.

Arthur taught night classes in computers at Greenfield Community College. He co-owned a small software support company where he designed inventory software for companies. Later in his career, he started his own company, Total Computer Systems, and returned to teaching at the Linden Hill School.

In 1993, Arthur was ordained a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Springfield and served as a deacon for over 20 years at St. Patrick Parish in Northfield. He was involved with leading eucharistic services in the church, religious education classes, prayer meetings, and Antioch weekends.

He spent his life in service. He learned clowning to bring joy to nursing homes, town and church picnics, and children’s day at Trinitarian Congregational Church. He went to Honduras to help build a school and minister to the local community. He enjoyed woodworking, cribbage games, and organic gardening.

He is survived by his children, Teri Vienot of Melrose, Mass.; Lucie Martin of Mesa, Ariz.; and Thomas of Warwick. He also leaves four grandchildren: Emily and Elizabeth Martin and Nicholas and Dylan Vienot, plus many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, wife, and siblings, Alfred, Roland, and Gloria.

Due to COVID-19, a Liturgy of Christian Burial in St. Patrick Church, Northfield, will be held in the spring, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Northfield, at a time to be announced.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Patrick Church, 80 Main St., Northfield, MA 01360; or to LifePath, 101 Munson Street, Suite 201, Greenfield, MA 01301.