Rev. Oliver Blanchette, A.A., 104, Besides his Assumptionist community, Fr. Oliver leaves 3 first cousins, Jeanne Sears of Baltimore, MD, John H. "Jack" Connelly and his wife Denice Brait of Salem, and Francis Blanchette of West Haven, CT. He was predeceased by many aunts and uncles, and by first cousins.
He was the only child of Armand and Olive (Gahan) Blanchette. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Assumption College in 1937. He studied philosophy there from 1937 to 1938 and then theology at the Seminary of Quebec at Laval University from 1941 to 1945 when he was awarded his Licentiate in Sacred Theology.
Fr. Blanchette made his first profession on October 2, 1940 in Canada and was ordained to the priesthood on June 16, 1944 by Cardinal Villeneuve in Quebec. Fr. Oliver began his ministry by teaching philosophy, education and religion at Assumption Preparatory School from 1947 to 1956. He served as a superior, a regional superior and a master of novices, returning to Assumption Prep as superior of the community from 1968 to 1970.
Fr. Oliver took on many tasks over his lifetime: spiritual director, assistant pastor at St. Anne's Shrine in Fiskdale from 1980 to 1999. And at the age of 83, Father went to Africa serving in Nairobi, Kenya and Arusha, Tanzania as an English teacher and spiritual director from 1999 to 2007. In his retirement he worked with the lay religious alliance of the Assumptionists through the internet for another 12 years. He was also active with the Cursillo Movement in Worcester and elsewhere.
Fr. Oliver celebrated his diamond jubilee of ordination 2019 and held the distinction of being the oldest Assumptionist in the world. In his younger years he enjoyed playing hockey and tennis. More recently, he enjoyed studying church matters, pastoral and spiritual works.
He was the only child of Armand and Olive (Gahan) Blanchette. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Assumption College in 1937. He studied philosophy there from 1937 to 1938 and then theology at the Seminary of Quebec at Laval University from 1941 to 1945 when he was awarded his Licentiate in Sacred Theology.
Fr. Blanchette made his first profession on October 2, 1940 in Canada and was ordained to the priesthood on June 16, 1944 by Cardinal Villeneuve in Quebec. Fr. Oliver began his ministry by teaching philosophy, education and religion at Assumption Preparatory School from 1947 to 1956. He served as a superior, a regional superior and a master of novices, returning to Assumption Prep as superior of the community from 1968 to 1970.
Fr. Oliver took on many tasks over his lifetime: spiritual director, assistant pastor at St. Anne's Shrine in Fiskdale from 1980 to 1999. And at the age of 83, Father went to Africa serving in Nairobi, Kenya and Arusha, Tanzania as an English teacher and spiritual director from 1999 to 2007. In his retirement he worked with the lay religious alliance of the Assumptionists through the internet for another 12 years. He was also active with the Cursillo Movement in Worcester and elsewhere.
Fr. Oliver celebrated his diamond jubilee of ordination 2019 and held the distinction of being the oldest Assumptionist in the world. In his younger years he enjoyed playing hockey and tennis. More recently, he enjoyed studying church matters, pastoral and spiritual works.
Rev. Oliver Blanchette, A.A., 104, Besides his Assumptionist community, Fr. Oliver leaves 3 first cousins, Jeanne Sears of Baltimore, MD, John H. "Jack" Connelly and his wife Denice Brait of Salem, and Francis Blanchette of West Haven, CT. He was predeceased by many aunts and uncles, and by first cousins.
He was the only child of Armand and Olive (Gahan) Blanchette. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Assumption College in 1937. He studied philosophy there from 1937 to 1938 and then theology at the Seminary of Quebec at Laval University from 1941 to 1945 when he was awarded his Licentiate in Sacred Theology.
Fr. Blanchette made his first profession on October 2, 1940 in Canada and was ordained to the priesthood on June 16, 1944 by Cardinal Villeneuve in Quebec. Fr. Oliver began his ministry by teaching philosophy, education and religion at Assumption Preparatory School from 1947 to 1956. He served as a superior, a regional superior and a master of novices, returning to Assumption Prep as superior of the community from 1968 to 1970.
Fr. Oliver took on many tasks over his lifetime: spiritual director, assistant pastor at St. Anne's Shrine in Fiskdale from 1980 to 1999. And at the age of 83, Father went to Africa serving in Nairobi, Kenya and Arusha, Tanzania as an English teacher and spiritual director from 1999 to 2007. In his retirement he worked with the lay religious alliance of the Assumptionists through the internet for another 12 years. He was also active with the Cursillo Movement in Worcester and elsewhere.
Fr. Oliver celebrated his diamond jubilee of ordination 2019 and held the distinction of being the oldest Assumptionist in the world. In his younger years he enjoyed playing hockey and tennis. More recently, he enjoyed studying church matters, pastoral and spiritual works.
He was the only child of Armand and Olive (Gahan) Blanchette. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Assumption College in 1937. He studied philosophy there from 1937 to 1938 and then theology at the Seminary of Quebec at Laval University from 1941 to 1945 when he was awarded his Licentiate in Sacred Theology.
Fr. Blanchette made his first profession on October 2, 1940 in Canada and was ordained to the priesthood on June 16, 1944 by Cardinal Villeneuve in Quebec. Fr. Oliver began his ministry by teaching philosophy, education and religion at Assumption Preparatory School from 1947 to 1956. He served as a superior, a regional superior and a master of novices, returning to Assumption Prep as superior of the community from 1968 to 1970.
Fr. Oliver took on many tasks over his lifetime: spiritual director, assistant pastor at St. Anne's Shrine in Fiskdale from 1980 to 1999. And at the age of 83, Father went to Africa serving in Nairobi, Kenya and Arusha, Tanzania as an English teacher and spiritual director from 1999 to 2007. In his retirement he worked with the lay religious alliance of the Assumptionists through the internet for another 12 years. He was also active with the Cursillo Movement in Worcester and elsewhere.
Fr. Oliver celebrated his diamond jubilee of ordination 2019 and held the distinction of being the oldest Assumptionist in the world. In his younger years he enjoyed playing hockey and tennis. More recently, he enjoyed studying church matters, pastoral and spiritual works.
