WORCESTER___Rev. Wilfrid J. Dufault, A.A., 96, of Worcester, religious leader, educator and man of the Church, died Tuesday after a short illness in UMass Memorial Medical Center, 119 Belmont St. Fr. Dufault died on the 70th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
At the time of his death Fr. Dufault was Chancellor Emeritus of Assumption College. Previously, he had served the College as both President and Acting President. For seventeen years, Fr. Dufault was the Superior General of the Assumptionist Congregation world-wide, the first American to hold that post. During that time, he was a father of the Second Vatican Council in Rome. In later years, Fr. Dufault served as Postulator for the Beatification of Fr. d'Alzon, the founder of the Assumptionists. He also served for many years as a member of Assumption's Board of Trustees.
He was born in Spencer, son of Etienne and Alma (Kasky) Dufault, Fr. Dufault was educated in Spencer schools and graduated from Assumption High School and Assumption College. He entered the Assumptionists in 1929, pronounced his perpetual vows in 1933, and was ordained a priest in 1934. After receiving a licentiate in theology from the Pontifical Institute "Angelicum" in Rome, Fr. Dufault began teaching philosophy at Assumption College. Upon completion of further studies at Laval University, he returned to the College to teach for another seven years before being named the first Provincial Superior of the North American Province of the Assumptionists. Fr. Dufault was the recipient of honorary doctorate degrees from Rivier College, Anna Maria College as well as from Assumption College. He was also recognized with the French Legion d'Honneur, Officier French Ordre National du Merite, Commandeur French Ordre National du Merite, Lafayette Award from Worcester's Harmony Club, the Assumption Prep School Alumni Hall of Fame Award, the President's Medal from Assumption College and the Outstanding Achievement Award from Assumption College. He was also inducted into Ordre de la Fidelite Francaise and the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher.
Besides his religious brothers in the US region and throughout the world, Fr. Dufault leaves numerous cousins.
His funeral will be held on Saturday Feb. 28 with a Mass at 10 a.m. in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Assumption College, 500 Salisbury St. The Very Rev. Richard Lamoureux, A.A. Superior General will be the principal celebrant. Burial will be in St. Anne’s Cemetery, Fiskdale. Calling hours on Thursday Feb. 26 will be from 2 to 5 p.m. in J. Henri Morin & Son Funeral Home, 23 Maple Terrace, Spencer. Calling hours on Friday Feb. 27 will be held from 2 to 4:30 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Assumption College. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Assumptionists' Retirement Fund, 330 Market St., Brighton, 02135. DIRSA-MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 298 Grafton St., is directing arrangements.