WESTPORT … Rev. Msgr. Edmond R. Levesque, 82, of Westport died unexpectedly at home on Sunday, June 5, 2011.
He was born and raised in Fall River a son of the late Desire and Elise (Albert) Levesque living in Westport from 1955 – 1983, South Attleboro from 1983 – 1990, New Bedford from 1990 – 2005, and back to Westport in 2005.
Msgr. Levesque was a 1947 graduate of Msgr. Prevost High School and graduated from St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA in 1955.
He was ordained by his Excellency James L. Connolly on February 2, 1955 at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Fall River. Msgr. Levesque was assigned to St. George Church, Westport as Curate from 1955 – 1973 where he started the C.Y.O., scouts,and a St. Vincent DePaul Society. He devoted much of his time to the formation of a parish school. He was Pastor Our Lady of Grace Church, Westport from 1973 – 1983 and St. Theresa of Child Jesus, South Attleboro from 1983 – 1990 where he founded For Pete’s Sake Daycare. While he was Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua in New Bedford from 1990 – 2005 he was instrumental in the renovations to the church to the point of doing a lot of the work himself. Msgr. Levesque retired to St. George Church in Westport. On May 5, 1999, Pope John Paul II conferred papal honors on Father Levesque and he would now hold the well-deserved title of Monsignor.
He was the Chaplin of the St. Isidore Council #4373, Knights of Columbus in Westport; he was the director of St. Vincent de Paul Camp, Westport, Nazareth Day Camp, and Catholic Boy’s Camp.
Survivors include a sister Theresa Rheaume of Fall River, several nieces and nephews, many great nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Albert, Bro. Richard, Raymond, Hector, Rev. Arthur, Armand, and Omer Levesque, Noella Maurano, and Annette Levesque.
Funeral Mass to which relatives and friends are invited will be celebrated by the Most Rev. George W. Coleman on Thursday at 11AM. Calling hours will be on Wednesday starting at 2PM with a Prayer Service at 7PM at St. George Church, Highland Ave., Westport. Interment in Notre Dame Cemetery, Fall River.
Arrangements are under the direction of SOUTH COAST FUNERAL HOME, 1555 Pleasant Street, Fall River.