Reverend Oliver Blanchette, A.A., 104, the world’s oldest Assumptionist and a beloved member of the Assumptionist and Worcester Diocese communities, passed away on May 11.
Fr. Oliver graduated from Assumption Prep and Assumption College before receiving his Licentiate in Sacred Theology from Quebec at Laval University. He 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 celebrated his diamond jubilee of ordination in 2019.
Fr. Oliver began his ministry by teaching philosophy, education, and religion at Assumption Preparatory School, as well as serving as sub-prior and master of scholastics and superior of the community. Fr. Oliver was a prominent member of the Assumptionist community, serving from 1977–80 as superior, before becoming assistant pastor at St. Anne’s Shrine in Fiskdale for nearly 20 years. At the age of 83, when most have retired, Fr. Oliver went to Africa to work as an English teacher and spiritual director in Nairobi, Kenya, and Arusha, Tanzania, from 1999 to 2007. He continued to raise money for projects in Africa upon his return. In his retirement, he worked with the lay religious alliance of the Assumptionists for another 12 years. He was also active with the Cursillo Movement in Worcester and elsewhere.
