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REVEREND PHILIP R. LAMOTHE - WILLISTON - Reverend Philip LaMothe, age 83, passed away on Dec. 29, 2013, in Vermont Respite House. He was born on March 23, 1930, in St. Albans, the son of Philiza and Blanche (Benoit) LaMothe. Father LaMothe was educated and graduated from Sutton Grammar School, Shelburne, Cathedral High School, Burlington, Class of 1947, attended St. Michael's College, Colchester, from 19471949, and St. Paul's Seminary, Ottawa, Canada, from 1949-1955. He was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Burlington, by Bishop Edward F. Ryan, on June 4, 1955. His assignments began at Notre Dame, St. Johnsbury (1955-1957). He also served at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Winooski (1957-1963), and St. James Parish, Island Pond (19631965). Father LaMothe served as chaplain in the United States Army from 1965 to 1975, in which two of those years were spent in Vietnam. Father LaMothe's first pastorate was at St. Paul Parish, Barton (1975-1979). He also served as pastor at St. Ann Parish, Milton (1979-1989), Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Bradford (1989-1998), St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Shelburne (1998-2003) and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Bradford (2003-2008). Father LaMothe was granted Senior Priest Status on July 1, 2008, after which he served as chaplain to the Discalced Carmelite Nuns in Lowell, from July 2008 to November 2013. He was instrumental in helping to establish the Carmelite Monastery of St. Joseph in Lowell as well as the Benedictine Monastery in Westfield. Family and friends knew Father Philip as a kind man with a warm, compassionate heart open to all he met. His generosity knew no bounds! Father's sense of humor was grounded in his wisdom and joie de vivre stemming from a profound relationship with God. His laughter was contagious as he brought joy and comfort to people from all backgrounds and walks of life. To his family, he was the one to whom they turned for counsel, comfort and understanding prayer. He enjoyed nature and could often be seen taking long contemplative walks along the pond or woods, delighting in the beauty of creation and most especially the birds and woodland creatures. Father LaMothe was predeceased by his father in 1976; his mother in 1983; his brother, Joseph, in 1992; and his sister, Marguerite Maille, in 2012. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Cecile and Anthony Senna of Glastonbury, Conn.; his brother-in-law, Joseph Maille of Shelburne; and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, at 11 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Shelburne. Monsignor John J. McDermott will be the principal celebrant and Monsignor Michael W. DeForge, will be the homilist. Calling hours will be on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 from 2 to 5 p.m., with Rosary at 5 p.m. at LaVigne Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 132 Main St., in Winooski, as well as an hour prior to the funeral at the church. Interment will be at St. Catherine Cemetery in Shelburne in the spring at the convenience of the family. We would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at the Vermont Respite House for their superior care for Fr. Phil. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Carmelite Nuns of Vermont, 386 Stephenson Rd., Lowell, VT 05847.
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Me memories of my dear uncle, were mostly of his sense of humor, jogging or walking while enjoying the nature, and his hope and faith in God. He strived to share his faith with everyone. My most favorite memories growing up were going to his camp in Eden, where we had picnics, canoed, played ping-pong, basketball, horseshoes, shared stories, and prayed together as family or with friends. My second favorite memory was when he was able to join us for many family holiday meals, where we talked about the farm, shared faith stories, and on occassion he'd share stories when he was chaplain in the army. My next favorite memory was having our own family member to baptize the babies in the family, family weddings & funerals. His faith kept us strong during those moments, and in many of our own daily life struggles, and for that I will always be grateful for the legacy he left behind. We love you uncle, Fr. Phil.
To all those out there that have, or will post a condolence and would be willing to share a memory with the family, would you please contact me?
JoAnne Maille
Family
February 25, 2017
I was thinking of Father Phil and googled his name this morning. I was saddened to read of his passing. I fondly remember so many good times and great conversations in Island Pond. Many great times spent at his cottage on lake Eden. When I passed through Cam Ranh Bay on my way to Pleiku I was able to visit the beach in the pictures he had sent to me. Leave it to Father Phil to find the best of a bad situation. I will always remember the kind, generous person who would always laugh at the jokes his troop of alter boys seemed to come up with even though he knew they weren't funny. He saw the best in all of us. I will remember that man. God bless and keep.
Mark Dufour
June 15, 2015
I had the honor and privledge of serving as a chaplin assistant with Father Phil at Ft. Leonard Wood. I was reflecting on my faith this morning and my faith journey and thought of Fr. Phil, I googled his name and was saddened to learn of his passing. I'll never forget our discussions that have stayed with me on my journey through my faith and my life.
Bill Pruzinsky
May 22, 2015
Father Lamothe, Chaplin for the 87th. Engineer Battalion in Cam Ranh Bay Vietnam. Thank you
June 8, 2014
Fr. Phil was full of life and will be missed. I recall many joy filled days full of laughter with him.
Daniel Batchelder
January 10, 2014
How glorious Fr LaMothe that Our Blessed Lord chose to take you home on the Feast of the Holy Family! You have brought countless souls to a deeper union with God and His Holy Church. You preached the gospel with all your heart,mind and strength with boundless love,compassion and mercy! We were privileged to witness your life in imitation of Jesus Mary and Joseph! We thank you for our happy family, which is truly yours! Our heartfelt love and prayers are with your beautiful family. May we all be reunited someday in Eternity where we will Praise God for ever and ever......... Lawrence and Marianne Kepler and children
January 7, 2014
Dear Cecile and Anthony Senna and rest of the family, please accept from a perfect stranger these condolences for the passing of Fr. Phil whom I knew as Chaplain of the Carmelite Monastery in Lowell, Vermont, visited numerous times on my own spiritual journey in this life towards Heaven. Besides our impromptu conversations when showing up unexpectedly after the long drive over from Sheffield, he accepted my gift of a priest's stole that the business entity “Maryweave” based at the Monastery to provide it with some income had made for him that he then wore under his chasuble at the Masses that he celebrated there. He was a quiet and gentle man who will be missed, not only by the contemplative Discalced Carmelite nuns at the Monastery named after St. Joseph but also those many laity in the Lamoille River watershed and beyond who came with their spiritual needs to then receive his wise counsel. Also, the newly constructed wing to the Monastery building where Mass can now be celebrated outside the cloister with members of the public present as well as with the nuns had to have some of its origins in Fr. Phil's intercessory prayer life and in how then Our Lord listened to his prayer requests for a proper chapel to succeed the original – and tiny – one I was told was inside the cloister in the Monastery cellar and thus was off-limits to the public.
Harold M. Frost, III
January 7, 2014
Fr Lamothe was a truly dedicated and traditional priest. Thanks for keeping the timeless traditions of the Church
alive. RIP with the Lord. ~ J. Thompson
January 6, 2014
Rest in Peace Fr. Phil. You have had a profound impact on my family and the Parish of OLPH in Bradford! You will be missed.
Donna Hart & Family
January 6, 2014
I will always remember Father Phil as a part of our family growing up in Island Pond. He was like a brother to us, and used to beat us at ping pong! Such a humble man, that everyone loved, he exemplified what a Priest should be.
Aloha Oe
Patrick Batchelder
January 6, 2014
Fr. Phil has been a large part of our family since his ministry in Island Pond in 1963. I also served in Vietnam with the Marines, and was able to share memories of that now historical time with Fr. Phil. Two of our children were baptized by Fr. Phil while he was in Barton, and one of them later cared for him during convalescence at BelAire Nursing Home in Newport. We always enjoyed his poignant sermons while attending Mass in Bradford or Wells River.
A few weeks before his death, he told us that he would soon be in Heaven and we asked him to greet our deceased family members. We now ask that with his intercession from Heaven our family continues to be blessed.
Ben and Fran Batchelder
January 5, 2014
I will never forget Father Phil, he spent many happy times with my parents Mike and Priscilla Batchelder and our family. His warmth and deep love of Jesus poured out to all who knew him. I am thankful to have known him.
Faith Batchelder Hazelip
January 4, 2014
Such a holy, humble and pious priest that was an inspiration to me and my family by his word and example, I pray that he is now at rest in the presence of God together with the Blessed Mother Mary, and all of the Angels and Saints in Heaven. My condolences to his family and all who were graced by his life for their loss. He was an amazing man!
Karey Gosselin
January 4, 2014
With grateful memories of the Bradford Retreats and a wonderful priest and friend. You have many to watch over from your heavenly home. Thank you Fr. Phil, Ruth and Bob Charlesworth
Ruth & Bob Charlesworth
January 3, 2014
Thank you, Father, for being my wonderful guide and spiritual director, teaching me about the beauty of love and compassion through Jesus Christ. Please continue your prayers for us.
Amy Cochran
January 3, 2014
We have wonderful memories of Fr. Phil from grammar school and long after. He was a good friend and a faithful priest.
Our love and sympathy to all the family, Sisters Helen and Martha O'Brien and Marjorie O'Brien Ernst
January 3, 2014
To my uncle, you will always be remembered as a servant of the Lord. One who believed in the Roman Catholic faith to the fullest. You had a kind heart and a sense of humor. Thank you for your military service as a chaplain in the US Army for ten years. You were always fair and just, and a joy to be around. We will miss you take care and watch over us.
John Maille
January 2, 2014
Thank you Father Phil for serving Bradford so well for so many years. Thank you for your wisdom, humility and love.
John and Elizabeth Nadeau
January 2, 2014
Prayers and kind thoughts for your family.My thoughts go back to the year the family cow barn was blown over by that strong wind and so many of the neighboring families,"my dad Frank" helped to restore the barn.
Sister Rose Ann Blair C.D.P.
January 2, 2014
Fr Phil was a wonderful friend and colleague of mine when he served our Lord in Bradford, VT. I will never forget him, his compassion, listening ability, sense of humor and acceptance of clergy from other denominations. We'll see him in Glory.
Rev. Martin Fors
January 1, 2014
Joseph, Jimmy, Jane, Joyce, Jo Ann, Johnny and family. I'm so sorry for your loss, I know that your Brother In-Law & Uncle was a cornerstone of your family and was very much loved. There is no doubt as to were he is. As hard as it is to say good by, I'am am sure that your mom is saying "hello, what took so long". Be there for each other during this trying time and smile & be proud of (I'm sure) the hundreds of lives that your uncle has touched throughout the years of dedicated service and the wonderful legacy he leaves to live on in each of you and your whole family. God Bless all of you.
Robert & Myra Fay
January 1, 2014
Father Lamothe was a wonderful priest at St. Annes in Milton. He was a great gift to our family.
Margaret Merchant
January 1, 2014
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