WORCESTER – Rev. Alexis Babineau, AA, 95, died Saturday, March 21, 2015 in St. Francis Rehabilitation & Nursing Center.
Besides the members of the Assumptionist community, he leaves a brother, Raymond P. Babineau of Belchertown, MA; a sister, Marguerite Lussier of Charlton, NY; nephews and nieces and grandnephews and grandnieces.
He was born and raised in Three Rivers, one of the 8 children of J. Arthur and Alexina (Plouffe) Babineau and moved to Leominster in 1926. He graduated from Assumption Preparatory School in 1936 and earned a Bachelor of Arts from Assumption College in 1940. After entering the Assumptionist novitiate in Quebec, he attended Laval University in Quebec, receiving a Bachelor of Theology in 1944 and a Licentiate in Theology in 1946. He pronounced his perpetual vows on April 26, 1945 to Reverend Yvon LeFloc’h, AA. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 22, 1945 by Cardinal Villeneuve in the Basilica of Quebec City. Upon returning to Worcester, he earned a Master of Arts Degree in 1949 and then a Doctorate in Chemistry in 1953, both from Clark University.
Father Alexis was a professor of chemistry at Assumption College from 1946 to 1968. He then held the title of campus planner for 12 years, during which time dormitories and residences were constructed at the college as well as the Assumptionist residence on Old English Road. He was the superior of the Assumptionist community from 1967 to 1970 and a trustee of the college from 1968 to 1981. From 1980 to 1989 he served as the Assistant to the Business Manager and then as
Assistant to the Vice-President for Financial Affairs. He also edited and published Assumption publications for several years.
In 1993, he was asked to serve at the Assumptionist mission in Nairobi, Kenya, where he worked with Fr. Richard Brunelle. While there he also proofread materials for publications for the Daughters of Saint Paul for 5 years. He returned to Old English Road in 1999. He then lived at Notre Dame Health Care Center and moved to St. Francis Home in 2013.
Fr. Alexis enjoyed reading, word puzzles and playing card games, especially bridge and cribbage. He took up an interest in stamp collecting and built up an extensive collection. He also loved studying genealogy. He was fond of telling the story of his survival of the tornado of June, 1953.
The funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, March 25, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street. The Very Reverend Peter R. Precourt, AA, Provincial Delegate for the American Region, will be the principal concelebrant and homilist. Burial will be in Saint Anne’s Cemetery, Sturbridge. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Wednesday in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. Donations in his name may be made to either the Assumptionist Vocation Fund or to the Assumptionist Retirement Fund, 330 Market St., Brighton, MA 02135-2100. Arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School St., Webster.