Rev. Wilfred Andre Houle
Deceased: 2013-12-04
Diocese: BURLINGTON
ICTE Fall: 1993
On December 4, 2013 Father Wilfred Andre (Andy) Houle, beloved son, brother and friend was taken to heaven and into the arms of his loving Father. Fr. Houle was born to Adrien and Laurette (Paquette) Houle on September 6, 1948 and spent his childhood years on the family’s dairy farm in Irasburg where he learnt the value of hard work and dedication. He is survived by his parents of Irasburg, VT and five siblings, Elaine Baxter and spouse, Thomas of Geneva, IL; Diane Yunggebauer and spouse, Fred of Hartland, VT; Lorraine Brasseur and spouse, Bernard of Cornish Flats, NH; Ronald Houle and spouse, Colette (Gaboriault) of Irasburg; and Denis Houle and spouse, Laura (Boomer) of Irasburg. Andy was the beloved uncle to Matthew and Johnathon Brasseur; Brian and Steven Baxter; Emily and Kaytlyn Houle; and Brandon Houle. He is also survived by a number of aunts and uncles and numerous cousins. Andy loved to travel as well as spending “down” time at his “cabin” in Starksboro, VT.
Fr. Houle began his education at Sacred Heart Grade School in Newport, VT and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1966. He attended seminaries in Newark, NJ and Barre, VT. He completed his Bachelor’s Degree at St John Seminary in Brighton, MA. He was ordained to the Catholic priesthood on November 9, 1974 at St Theresa’s Church in Orleans, VT. He completed his Doctorate in Adult Education and Faith Formation from St Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, MD in 1985. He also attended the Institute for Continuing Theological Education at the Pontifical North American College at Vatican City in Rome, Italy.
Fr. Houle had the following assignments during his lifetime career in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Vermont: Assistant Pastor, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Middlebury, from November 1974 until June of 1978; Assistant Pastor, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Burlington, from June 1978 until June 1980; Assistant Director, Office of Religious Education, Burlington, from June 1980 until June 1982; Director, Office of Religious Education, Burlington, from 1982 until June 1987; Chaplain to the Sisters of Providence, Winooski, from June 1980 until June 1987; Pastor, St. Patrick Parish, Fairfield, from June 1987 until June 1994; Pastor, St. Peter Parish, Rutland, from June 1994 until June 2006; Pastor, Immaculate Conception (St. Mary) Parish, St. Albans, June 2006 until December 7, 2009; Retired due to health reasons on December 7, 2009. Since December 7
Andy has lived his life with grace and dignity as his brain became ravaged by the Frontotemporal Degeneration disease, which is a category within the Alzheimer’s illness. The family of Andy would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Maple Lane Nursing Home in Barton, VT for their loving care of their son and brother during the final stage of his life.
Calling hours will be on Monday, December 9, 2013 at 9am at St Theresa’s Church in Orleans, VT followed by the Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11am at St Theresa’ Church. To honor Andy’s loving and compassionate spirit, donations may be made to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) Radnor Station Building 2, Suite 320, 290 King of Prussia Road, Radnor PA 19087 or Alzheimer’s Disease Research at 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes, locally family owned and operated.
