WATERVILLE – Father Marcel G. Chouinard, 79, passed away Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011, at Mount St. Joseph’s, Waterville. He was born Oct. 26, 1931, in Lewiston, the son of Georges and Eva (Maillet) Chouinard.
He was ordained to the priesthood May 26, 1956, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland, by Bishop Daniel Feeney and after spending 55 years in the priesthood, he retired in June 2001. In his 55 years of priesthood Father Marcel served as an assistant at Holy Rosary, Caribou, and Ste. Marie, Lewiston; as chaplain at St. Anne’s Indian Mission, Princeton; as pastor at St. Agatha, St. Agatha, Holy Rosary, Sabattus, St. Francis, Greene, St. Athanasius and St. John, Rumford, Our Lady Queen of Peace, Boothbay Harbor, and Notre Dame de Lourdes, Skowhegan. He also served as chaplain in the Maine National Guard and U.S Army chaplain at Fort Campbell, Ky.; and chaplain of Knights of Columbus and Daughters of Isabella.
He was predeceased by his parents, Georges and Eva (Maillet) Chouinard; a brother, Fernand; and a sister, Carmen. Survivors include four nephews, Lee Chouinard and his wife, Frances, of Bonita Springs, Fla., Peter Chouinard and his wife, Karen, of Portland, Michael Chouinard and his wife, Helen, of San Antonio and Wayne Chouinard of New York, N.Y.
Reception of the body and wake will be held 10 a.m. until the Mass of Christian burial 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church of Christ the King Parish, Water Street, Skowhegan. The Most Rev. Richard J. Malone, Th.D., bishop of Portland, will be the principal celebrant of the Mass of Christian burial; the very Rev. Paul A. Plante, vicar for priests, and members of Father Chouinard’s Emmaus group are designated concelebrants; and Rev. Maurice Morin will be the homilist. Committal prayers will be held at Calvary Cemetery, Skowhegan, immediately after the Mass of Christian burial. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Father Marcel’s name may be made to Clergy Pension Fund of the Diocese of Portland, P.O. Box 11559, Portland, ME 04104-7559. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan. Condolences may be made at
www.smartandedwardsfh.com.