WORCESTER – The Rev. Arthur A. Ouillette, 88, a retired Worcester Diocesan priest devoted to church music, died Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012, at St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester, Mass. He was born in Caribou, the son of Arthur and Leone (DesJardins) Ouillette.
Father Ouillette was a 1940 graduate of Caribou High School. After graduating in 1942 from Becker College, Worcester, Mass., he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater including the Philippines during World War II. After the war, he entered College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Mass., graduating in 1950. Father Ouillette studied for the priesthood at Grand Seminary, Montreal, and St. John’s Seminary, Brighton, Mass. He was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Worcester in 1955 at Cathedral of St. Paul by then Bishop John J. Wright. After his ordination, he was assigned to St. Paul’s Cathedral as an assistant pastor and director of its Schola and Sanctuary Choir. In 1962 he was also named Diocesan Director of Sacred Music by Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan. He oversaw the installation of two new pipe organs at the cathedral and more recently assisted with the refurbishment of the same instruments. Father Ouillette was transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Worcester, Mass., in 1969. In 1973 he was named pastor of St. Pius X Church, Leicester, Mass., and also served as Cardinal Newman Chaplain for Leicester Junior College. In 1982 he became pastor of St. Mary’s Church, Southbridge, Mass. He went on a three-month sabbatical in 1985 to study at North American College, Rome. In 1991 he was appointed pastor of St. Mary’s Church, Jefferson, Mass., from which he retired in 1997. In retirement he continued his priestly ministry, celebrating Mass at several churches.
He leaves two brothers, Richard and Reginald Ouillette, both of Caribou; five sisters, Katherine Karr of Lancaster, Calif., Mona MacBain of Clinton, Conn., Ruth Vermette of Skowhegan, Greta Cianchette of Detroit, Maine, and Sheila Jacobson of Gray; many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.
The Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 15 Chatham St., Worcester, Mass. The Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, will be the principal celebrant. Burial will be at a later date at Holy Rosary Cemetery, Caribou. Calling hours are 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Worcester, Mass., with a vigil service beginning 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Classical Music Studies Program at College of the Holy Cross, 1 College St., Worcester, MA 01610.
Rev. Arthur A. Ouillette
