Rita Louise GUERTIN, RSM (1913-2011)

Rita Louise GUERTIN

(Sr. George, RSM)

daughter of

Jean-Baptiste GUERTIN

Angéline BOURQUE/BURKE

died Wedneday, December 7, 2011 at the age of 98 years.

The niece of George Albert GUERTIN, the 3rd Roman Catholic Bishop of Manchester, NH, Rita had been a member of the Sisters of Mercy for 72 years. She was known in religion as Sr. George. A graduate of Mount St. Mary College in Hooksett, NH, she obtained an M.A. in French from Boston College & did further studies in French at the "Institut Catholique" in Paris, FRANCE.

Sr. George taught languages (principally French & Spanish) for 35 years at the high school and; college levels. She was a teacher at St. Joseph High School for Girls in Manchester, NH and at Mount Saint Mary Seminary in Nashua and Mount St. Mary College in Hooksett. From 1957 until 1978 she taught French, Spanish, and Latin, and was head of the department of modern languages at Mount Saint Mary College. After the school closed in 1978, Sr. George worked at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH where she was an assistant to the chaplain, making pastoral visits to patients. For 5 years she volunteered as a tutor at the Hillsborough House of Correction in Manchester, where she taught English to French- and Spanish-speaking men. She also tutored local students in French. In 1989, she moved to Warde Health Center in Windham, N.H. There she helped in the center’s gift shop, and visited and prayed with the residents.

Sr. George died 2011-12-07 at the Warde Health Center, 21 Searles Rd., Windham, NH. Burial was at St. Joseph Cemetery, Bedford, NH.

 Learn more about the

Sisters of Mercy

and the

Searles Castle,

where their novitiate was located,

by clicking on the title above.

Also, check out the link below to read an article about the "Going Away" party that was given for Rita Louise GUERTIN before she entered the convent of the Sisters of Mercy and became Sr. George. Very interesting considering that it was 72 years ago

.http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19390117&id=Dm5AAAAAIBAJ&sjid=paQMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2379%2C5155340

C'est la vie radio program re: Franco-Americans & others

C'est la vie

by

Connie LEMONDE

Each week, Connie summarizes the biography of a local individual, whom she has interviewed &  who has accepter to share the story of a part of his or her life with the listeners. Oftentimes, these are persons of Franco-American descent since WOON 1240 is a Rhode Island station, a state to which many people from Québec immigrated to find work in the mills. The 5 minute biography is in English, of course, and, thus far, many listeners have found it interesting. You may even find a long-lost relative. A new program is available each week from Saturday to Saturday, 

CLICK on the title above

and then

CLICK on C'est la vie

and

Enjoy!

Bishop George GUERTIN (1869-1931)

George GUERTIN

was born 

1869-02-17

in 

Nashua, NH, 

the son of 

Georges GUERTIN and Louise LEFEBVRE. 

He undertook his Classical Studies in Sherbrooke, QC and entered St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA. In 1892-12-17 he was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood. In 1907-03-19 he was appointed by Pope Pius X as the 3^rd Bishop of the diocese of Manchester, NH, thus becoming the first alumnus of St. John’s Seminary to be named a Bishop. He died 1931-08-06.

GUERTIN

(1)

Louis GUERTIN

Georgette OR Georgine LEDUC

Anjou (Maine-et-Loire), FRANCE

(2)

Louis GUERTIN

Élisabeth LECAMUS/CAMUS

1659-10-26

Montréal, QC

(3)

Louis GUERTIN

Marie-Magdeleine CHICOINE

1688-08-06

Montréal, QC

(4)

François-Xavier GUERTIN

Élisabeth OR Isabelle CHARON

1734-06-07

St-François-Xavier-de-Verchères, Verchères County, QC

(5)

Michel GUERTIN

Élisabeth OR Isabelle GOYET or  GOGUET

1769-11-06

St-Sulpice, l'Assomption County, QC

(6)

Louis GUERTIN

Catherine TRUDEAU

1797-07-31

St-Fran

(7)

Toussaint Augustin GUERTIN

Adélaïde DUPONT

1834-02-04

St-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, Verchères County, QC

(8)

Georges GUERTIN

Louise LEFEBVRE

1866-10-08

St-Hugues, Bagot County, QC

Mgr. René AUDET (1920-20-11)

René AUDET

was born in Montréal, QC

January 18, 1920

the son of

Louis-Napoléon AUDET

Marie-Louise BLAIS

After having completed the required Classical and Theological studies in Montréal, he was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood on May 30, 1948.

As his first assignment, René AUDET was named assistant pastor at St-Paul parish in Rouyn, QC from 1948 to 1951. Thereafter, he accepted several other activities and studies. He was eventually ordained Bishop on July 31, 1963. On February 22, 1968, he became the 4^th Bishop of  the diocese of Joliette, QC where he remained till retirement.

Msgr. AUDET died at the Ignace-Bourget Residence in Montréal, QC on  June 12, 2011 and will be buried in Joliette, QC.

René also has a brother, Maurice, who is a Roman Catholic priest in Montréal, QC

AUDET

Innocent AUDET

Vincente REINE

Poitiers, Poitou (Vienne), FRANCE

(1)

Nicolas AUDET dit LAPOINTE

Madeleine DESPRÉS

1670-09-15

Ste-Famille, Île d’Orléans, Montmorency Cty, QC

(2)

François AUDET dit LAPOINTE

Marguerite BERNARD

1709-06-03

St-Laurent, Île d’Orléans, Montmorency Cty, QC

(3)

François AUDET

Madeleine BAILLARGEON

1736-11-19

St-Laurent, Île d’Orléans, Montmorency Cty, QC

(4)

Augustin AUDET

Marie NADEAU

1773-10-24

St-Charles, Bellechasse Cty, QC

(5)

Jean AUDET dit LAPOINTE

Louise DALLAIRE

1805-01-28

St-Gervais, Bellechasse Cty, QC

(6)

Ferdinand AUDET

Marie-Louise NADEAU

1841-05-11

St-Anselme, Dorchester Cty, QC

(7)

Ludger AUDET

Virginie BAILLARGEON

1876-09-19

St-Anselme, Dorchester Cty, QC

(8)

Louis-Napoléon AUDET

Marie-Louise BLAIS

1915-01-07

Immaculée-Conception church, Montréal, QC

St. Paul church, Aylmer, Gatineau region, QC

St. Paul church

1840-2011

The first church was built in 1840 and was replaced by a larger one in 1878. A considerable increase in the Roman Catholic population led to its replacement by a 3rd church in 1894, but it was damaged by fire in 1895. Repairs on the church were completed in 1905. Yet another fire, this one suspicious, ravaged the church in 2009.

 Despite the community's desire to rebuild the church once again, the parish's present finances are insufficient. Therefore, the church will be completely demolished this year...2011.

Albert GUAY killed his wife, Rita MOREL

Born in 1918,

the son of Joseph Arthur GUAY  and Marie Éva LANDRY, 

Albert married Rita MOREL (Wilfrid+Imelda DIONNE) 

on 1941-08-30 in St-Roch parish, Québec City, QC. 

Albert earned a living as a jeweler in the city and all went well with the marriage, or so it seemed.

Eventually, Albert met Marie-Ange ROBITAILLE, a 17 year old, with whom he fell in love. In order to continue legally with this relationship, Albert decided that he had to get rid of his wife, Rita. If she died, he would be the beneficiary of her $10,000 life insurance. This would cover his debts and he would be free to marry Marie-Ange.

Having contrived of a plan, Albert talked about it to Marguerite RUEST-PITRE, who, in turn, requested the help of Généreux RUEST. The latter had access to sticks of dynamite; therefore, he made a bomb using the sticks and a timer. Albert then planted the bomb in a suitcase that would be placed in the baggage compartment of a plane that his wife, Rita, would be taking to go to Baie Comeau, QC.

On September 9, 1949, Rita MOREL and 17 other passengers boarded the DC-3 plane of Quebec Airways left from Ancienne Lorette, QC heading for Baie Comeau. The plane blew up in mid-air above Sault-au-Cochon, about 70 km north of Québec City, QC.

On Septembre 23, 1949 Albert GUAY was arrested for these murders and sentenced to death in February 1950. He was hanged January 19, 1951 at Bordeaux prison in Montréal, QC. Généreux RUEST, who helped Albert make the bomb, was hanged at the same prison on July 25, 1952 as was the 3rd accomplice, Marguerite RUEST PITRE. She was the last woman to be hhanged in CANADA.

GUAY

(1)

Jean GUAY

Marie DUMONT

Saintes, Saintonge (Charente-Maritime), FRANCE

(2)

Jean (GUYET) GUAY

Jeanne MIGNON

1652-11-10

Québec City, QC

(3)

Jacques GUAY

Marguerite CHAUVEAU

1693-11-26

Lauzon, QC

(4)

Jean-Baptiste GUAY

Angélique PLASSAN

1730-02-06

St-Étienne-de-Beaumont, Bellechasse Cty, QC

(5)

Pierre GUAY

Marthe FILTEAU

1754-09-09

St-Étienne-de-Beauamont, Bellechasse Cty, QC

(6)

Charles GUAY

Marie Barbe PICARD DESTROISMAISONS

1794-10-28

St-Pierre-de-la-Rivière-du-Sud, Montmagny Cty, QC

(7)

Joseph GUAY

Julie DUBORD

1843-02-21

St-Gervais, Bellechasse Cty, QC

(8)

François-Xavier GUAY

Mathilde LEBLOND

1872-02-12

St-Gervais, Bellechasse Cty, QC

(9)

Joseph Arthur GUAY

Marie Éva LANDRY

1911-11-28

Ste-Marguerite, Dorchester Cty, QC

C'est la vie" on WOON 1240

"C'est la vie"

hosted by

CONNIE LEMONDE

on Woonsocket, RI radio starion WOON 1240

"C'est la vie" is a 5 minute ENGLISH radio program during which Connie LEMONDE reads the biography of a local resident of Rhode Island. She interviews the person and then writes-up the bio for radio transmission. The French title of the program is due to the fact that many interviewees are of French-Canadian descent, as is Connie. Some of the subjects are identified at the end of the program while others have asked to remain anonymous since all are living in the area and their stories are quite personal.

By sharing these biographies, Connie wishes to show that adversities as well as good times are part of everyone's life, and that we can benefit from them eventually, at least with hind-sight.

"C'est la vie" may be heard twice a week, every week:

Friday at 9:05 a.m. (09h05)

Saturday at 8:00 a.m. (08h00)

To be brought to the radio station

via the Internet,

just CLICK on the title above.

The programs are archived; therefore, you may listen to them at your convenience. This is a great opportunity to get to know New Englanders who have lived through life-changing experiences, and who are willing to share them.

Jérôme LEMAY (1933-3-2011), Jacqueline LEMAY (1937- )

Guitarist, song writer, composer, singer, comedian,

Jérôme LEMAY

was born 1933-04-20

in Bearn, Témiscamingue County, QC

He died

2011-04-20

in Cité de la Santé Hospital, Laval, QC.

His sister

Jacqueline LEMAY

is also a

guitarist, song writer, composer and singer,

born 1937-05-23 

in Guérin, Témiscamingue County, QC.

For more information about these wellknown Québecers,

do a Google search.

LEMAY

(1)

François LEMAY

Marie GASCHET

Angers, Anjou, FRANCE

(2)

Michl LEMEY/LEMAY dit POUDRIER

Marie DUTAUT/DUTOS/DUTEAU

1659-06-15

Trois-Rivières, QC

(3)

Ignace LEMAY dit POUDRIER

Anne GIRDRD/GRARD

1687-11-24

Charlesbourg, suburb of Québec City, QC

(4)

Joseph LEMAY dit POUDRIER

Geneviève FRÉCHET

1728-11-15

Saint-Nicolas-de-Lévis, QC

(5)

Joseph LEMAY dit POUDRIER

Geneviève AUGER

1752-07-24

St-Louis parish, Lotbinière, Lotbinière County, QC

(6)

Joseph LEMAY dit POUDRIER

Madeleine LEVASSEUR

1791-03-07

Bécancour, Nicolet County, QC

(7)

Jean-Baptiste LEMAY

Marie-Claire LECLERC

1818-03-31

St-Louis parish, Lotbinière, Lotbinière County, QC

(8)

Léonard LEMAY

Philomène LEMAY

1855-07-10

St-Louis parish, Lotbinière, Lotbinière County, QC

(9)

Jean-Baptiste LEMAY

Aimée BEaUDET

1885-10-13

Les Becquets, Nicolet County, QC

(10)

Léonard LEMAY

Angéline PROVENCHER

1918-01-14

Gentilly (Bécancour), Nicolet County, QC

MEMORIAL CARDS

In addition to the above Memorial Cards, I have the following:

ALBANI, James J., d. 1981-01-10 (Toomey-O'Brien Funeral Home;

AUBERTIN, Rev. Albert A., Ordained to Roman Catholic priesthood: 1922, Silver Jubilee: 1947-06-10, pastor of St. Joseph parish, Springfield, MA;

BENOIIT, Joseph Basile 1915-07-26-27, souvenir of his ordination & first mass;

BOUCHER, Norman G., b. 1929-05-13, d. 2006-01-21 (Rice Funeral Home, Worcester, MA);

DUCHARME, OMI, Édouard, b. 1897-05-04, d. 1989-05-17, ordained to the RC priesthood 1924-07-06;

GEMME, MSOLA, Sr. Marguerite, b. 1928-06-10, d. 2004,10-08, (Dillon Funeral Home inc. ((413) 532-0691);

HOURIHAN, Francis X., b. 1926-12-02, d. 2002-08-13 (St. Pierre-Phaneuf Funeral Homes);

MATHEWS, Anastasios M., b. 1925-12-23, d. 2003-08-10 (St. Pierre-Phaneuf Funeral Chapels);

RACICOT, Napoléon A., b. 1899-05-16 in Springfield, MA, d. 1980-06-15 in Mesa, AZ, Requiem Mass: 1980-06-18 at Queen of Peace Church,  Internment: Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, AZ;

ROSSINI, Raymond J., b. 1916-01-17, d. 2003-06-14 (St. Pierre-Phaneuf Funeral Chapels);<

SÉVIGNY, Marc W., d. 2002-07-14 (Simpsons Family Chapel);

STEINER, Mary C., b. 1921-01-06, d. 1983-12-01;

ST-PIERRE, Claire, d. 1984-02-18 (St. Pierre and Son Funral Home, Inc., Springfield, MA)

Anyone who would like a

scanned copy

of the above Memorial Cards,

just leave a COMMENT and EM address

so that I may send it to you.

Dominican Monastery, Québec City, QC

Dominican Monastery

Plains of Abraham

Québec City, QC

Another Roman Catholic monument 

will be demolished in 2011. 

Located near the Québec Art Museum, the city has purchased the Monastery. The demolition will begin on March 21 & should be concluded by July of this year. The city intends to build an addition to the Museum by using this property.

Benedictine Convent in Mont-Laurier, QC

Built in 1950,

the Benedictine Monastery 

in Mont-Laurier, QC

will be demolished.

The Benedictine Sisters arrived in Mont-Laurier in 1934. Today they number 15 women, who will be relocated, although their destination has not yet been disclosed. There are few, if any, vocations; therefore, the only solution is the destruction of their present monastery. The sale of the bluiding & its grounds began in November 2010. The sisters must vacate the monastery by April 2011.

LECLAIR surname & variations in RHODE ISLAND

Looking for info re: 

LECLAIR - LECLAIRE - LECLERC families, 

who lived in Woonsocket, RI 

in the 1940's. 

One couple may have lived on Front St or in that area. Anyone willing to share family genealogy re: these surnames would be welcome. Thanks!

Query re: St-Philippe church in Trois-Rivières, QC

I was recently asked about St-Philippe church, located near the port in Trois-Rivières, QC. This church is slated to be sold and/or destroyed.
There was a site that was created for this church, but I have been unable to find it. 

You may see photos of some of the paintings 

that lwere located in the church, 

by clicking on the title above. 

Hopefully, the article will remain online for awhile.

Partial survey of church sales in QC

In the Brome-Missisquoi region, the following churches have been sold (date within parentheses):

1)   East Farnham Anglican Church (1984),

2)   Brome Church (1985),

3)   Brill United Church (circa 1987),

4)   St-Andrew's Anglican Church (1994),

5)   Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc (1998),

6)   Church of the Good Shepperd (1999),

7)   Brigham United Church (2003),

8)   Sainte-Sabine (2006),

9)   St. John Anglican Church (2006),

10)  Saint-Pierre-de-Véronne (2007),

11)  Saint-Ignace de Stanbridge (2008),

12)  Saint-Fabien (2008),

13)  Emmanuel United Church (2010).

Among these churches, 18 now belong to private citizens.

In the Haut-Richelieu region, Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens church in enise-en-Québec was sold to the city in 2009, but masses are still held in the building for the faithful.

In the Haute-Yamaska area, the city of Granby purchased
Assomption church in 2004 et Saint-Benoît church in  2008. Both are used as Community Centers. Saint-Joseph church now belong to the  CSSS (Social Services Agency) of the Haute-Yamaska since 2005, but masses are still being celebrated in that building.

St. Isaac-Jogues church

St-Isaac-Jogues church

Mountainview Blvd.

St-Huber, QC

Built in 1950

Since the year 2000, St-Isaac-Jogues is the 19th Roman Catholic church to have been closed in the Diocese of Saint-Jean-Longueuil, QC. The sale to Rodin Construction of Sainte-Julie, QC was finalized in november 2010. The city then changed the zoning of the area; therefore, the church will be destroyed in a few days (February 2011) and will be replaced by 6 apartment buildings.

The closing of so many churches is destroying our ancestral heritage and is making our genealogical research all the more complicated. So, where do the church records go? I don't have the answer...