Father Lucien Bernard "Bernie" LaMontagne

Father Lucien Bernard “Bernie” LaMontagne, 81, of Terre Haute passed into his spiritual life on Saturday August 24, 2019 at Providence Healthcare. He was a Roman Catholic Priest with the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island. Father Bernie was born July 4, 1938 in Central Falls, Rhode Island to Roland and Beatrice (Santerre) LaMontagne. He is survived by his brother, Gerard LaMontagne (Carol); nieces, Lisa LaMontagne Beausoleil (Matthew), Amy LaMontagne (Missi Werner), Keri LaMontagne Croteau (Mike); great nieces and nephews, Riley Croteau, Simi LaMontagne, Bradley Beausoleil, Cali Croteau, and Rowan LaMontagne; Godsons, John Michael Elmore and Kenneth Wagle and many spiritual children, friends, students, and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Donald LaMontagne. He was the oldest of 64 grandchildren. Father Bernie studied at the University of Ottowa and Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Warrick, Rhode Island before being ordained a priest of the Diocese of Providence on June 8, 1963.  He recently celebrated his 56th anniversary of ordination.  Following his ordination he served at St. Agatha and St. Aloysius parishes in Woonsocket, RI and St. James Parish in Manville, RI before accepting a teaching position on August 1, 1975 at Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana.  During his 38 plus years of teaching at the college he taught theology, scripture and several languages.  He also served for a time as part-time chaplain for the Sisters of Providence.  He retired in 2013 but continued to serve the Terre Haute community in many ways, especially Union Hospital, Cannon Inn nursing home, and several parishes and funeral homes. His life-long loves we’re family, opera and classical music, cooking, reading and scripture study, and spending time with friends and colleagues.  He especially loved traveling back to his beloved Rhode Island every year.  His good friend and next door neighbor of over 25 years described him as “one of the finest, most faith-filled, and funniest human beings I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.  His life was a blessing to all who knew him”. Wake services will be held on Wednesday September 11, 2019 from 2:30 until 4:30 pm with Vesper services starting at 4:30 pm in the Church of the Immaculate Conception with Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday September 12, 2019 at 11:00 am in the church with Presider, Father Dan Hopcus and Homilist, Reverend Doctor Kenneth Weare of Fairfax, CA. Burial will be in the Sisters of Providence Cemetery at St. Mary of the Woods. If friends so desire, memorial contributions may be made to either Catholic Charities or the Sisters of Providence in Father Bernie’s memory. Online condolences may be left at www.debaunfuneralhomes.com

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