Ottawa, Canada - Friar Thomas Raymond Potvin passed away at the Palliative Care Unit of the Elisabeth Bruyere Health Centrein Ottawa, Monday March 28, 2005 at the age of 70.
Born in Worcester, MA. September 22, 1934, son of the late Germaine B. Hamel and the late Edgar J. Potvin. He leaves his Dominican family; he is predeceased by a brother Dr. L. Edgar Potvin who died in 1997, he is also survived by four brothers Paul C. Potvin husband of Mary Lou of Brandon, VT, Robert J. Potvin husband of Virginia of Cummaquid, D. Joseph Potvin husband of Bernice of Houston, TX and George A. Potvin husband of Domenica of Sturbridge, MA; two sisters Anne Marie McIntosh of Amherst, MA and Catherine G. Wilbur wife of Glenn of Charlton City, MA; many nieces, nephews and relatives in the Worcester area, collaborators, friends and the students whom benefited from his teachings and work assignments.
After his High School and Collegiate studies at Assumption College in Worcester, MA he entered the Canadian Order of the Dominican Preaching Friars where he was ordained August 4, 1957. He completed his philosophical and theological studies at the Dominican College between 1957 and 1963. He was ordained priest June 30, 1962 in Worcester, MA at Holy Name of Jesus Church by the Late Bishop Bernard J. Flannagan. He pursued doctorate studies at the Fribourg University of Switzerland and in Munich, Germany. He returned to the Saint Jean-Baptiste Convent of Ottawa in 1967 and became professor of fundamental theology and ecclesiastic teachings, an assignment he has held since. He also was the Secretary-Treasurer of the Dominican College from 1967 to 1988. Member of many Knowledge Societies including the American Theological Society and the Canadian Theology Society of which he presided over. On November 24, 2004 he was awarded the title of Sacred Theology Master by the Master of the Preaching Friars Order. After being priest of the Ottawa Convent from 1987 to 1993, he was elected Provincial of the Dominicans of Canada from 1993 to 1997. Friar Potvin was minister of pastoral care at the Saint Jean-Baptiste Ottawa parish, and various other parishes in the Ottawa diocese. He was also a retreat minister, mainly for priests, notably New Brunswick.
The Funeral will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2005 in Ottawa. Interment will be in the Domincan Cemetery, St. Hyacinthe, Quebec following the mass. Memoriam donations to the Dominican College Foundation, 96 Empress Ave., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada KIR7Q62. Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home (www.Royfuneral.com) 12 Hammond Street, Worcester is directing local arrangements.