REV. ANATOLE O. BAILLARGEON, OMI
MISSIONARY OBLATE PRIEST FOR 67 YEARS
TEWKSBURY: Rev. Anatole O. Baillargeon, OMI, 94, died on December 18, 2008 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence in Tewksbury, MA. He was born in Bromptonville, P.Q., Canada, the son of George and Angeline (Nault) Baillargeon.
Fr. Baillargeon entered the novitiate September 7, 1935 and professed his first vows as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate on September 8, 1936. On June 22, 1941, he was ordained to the priesthood in Framingham, MA.
His first official assignment in 1941 was to the minor seminary in Bucksport, ME where he was an English teacher and a Theology tutor. In 1944 Fr. “Benny”, as he was also known, was one of the founders of the new College Seminary in Bar Harbor, ME, where he set everything off to a great start. His popularity with the local citizens helped to integrate the Oblate community with the town. He moved on to the major seminary in Natick, MA four years later, to serve as teacher and bursar.
In 1953 a career change came about when he transferred to the full time preaching ministry, first in the retreat house at Manville RI, and later at Willimantic, CT. He returned to Natick in 1961 as teacher of homiletics, while remaining available for parish retreats. In 1967 to 1968 he spent several months on a preaching tour of South Africa.
He was asked on his return to the States in 1968 to serve on the U.S. Catholic Mission Council in Washington DC. This lasted until he was called to Rome to the General House of the Oblates in 1973 to look after the Oblate Information Services. In this position, he was able to develop a global view of Oblate activities. He traveled considerably and made friends everywhere. With his extensive knowledge and experience, Fr. “Benny” was a valuable asset to the Oblates during the time that they moved toward one great American province. While in Rome he was also appointed Ecclesiastical Assistant to UNDA, the international catholic organization for radio and television. He held this position from 1978 to 1994.
Upon his final return to the States in 1997, he was assigned to St. Eugene House, then the Andre Garin Residence in Lowell, MA. In December of 2001 due to failing health, he retired to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence where he remained until his death.
He is survived by two nieces, Vivian Fontaine of Meriden, CT and Rita Cousino of Albany, NY.
Fr. Baillargeon designated that his remains be donated to science in the form of an anatomical gift to Tufts University School of Medicine.
A Memorial Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, January 8th, at 11 a.m., at the Oblate Novitiate Chapel, 486 Chandler Street, Tewksbury.
Donations in memory of Fr. Baillargeon may be made to the Oblate Infirmary Fund, 486 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876-2849.