Rev. Robert J. Girouard

GORHAM — Rev. Robert J. Girouard, 79, of Gorham, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, at St. Joseph Manor in Portland.

He was born in Manchester, N.H., the son of Hector and Alma (Leger) Girouard. He attended the St. Hyacinth Seminary in Quebec, House of Philosophy in Montreal, and the Grand Seminary in Montreal. Father Girouard was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on May 23, 1959 in St. Hyacinth Church in Westbrook.

Father Girouard became the priest of St. Louis Church in Fort Kent. He later worked in education for 12 years; six years at St. Ignatius Regional High School in Sanford; and then became head master at St. Dominic’s Regional High School in Lewiston.

He later served at several different churches throughout Maine; first at Our Lady of the Lakes in Oquossoc, followed by St. Rose of Lima in Jay and Our Lady of Peace in Berwick, and then St. Matthews Church in Limerick. He retired at age 70. Following his retirement, Father Girouard continued serve ministry at St. Mary’s Parish in Florida during the winter and during the summers at Our Lady of Sebago in East Sebago.

He is survived by two brothers, Emery Girouard of Westbrook and Raymond Girouard of Westbrook; three nieces and a nephew; several great-nieces and nephews; and one great-great-nephew.

A reception of the body and Liturgy of the Hours were held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 12, at St. Hyacinth’s Church (St. Anthony’s Parish) in Westbrook, with the Very Rev. Lawrence Conley, VF presiding. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday with the Most Rev. Richard J. Malone, Th.D., bishop of Portland, as principal celebrant, the Most Rev. Bishop Joseph Gerry concelebrated and Rev. James Bucaria from St. Mary’s Church in Masaryktown, Fla. as homilist. Interment followed in St. Hyacinth Cemetery, Westbrook. Arrangements are by Blais & Hay Funeral Home, Westbrook.