Bro. Maurice Violette

MOUNT VERNON -- Bro. Maurice Violette, OMI, 81, died suddenly on August 24, 2007, in Mount Vernon. He was born on July 12, 1926 in Drummond, New Brunswick, Canada, the son of the late Levite and Flavie (Albert) Violette. He was one of 14 children and was educated in Augusta. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army during WWII, serving from September 1944 to July 1946, at which time he received an honorable discharge.

Bro. Violette was accepted at the Oblate Novitiate in Colebrook, N.H. on August 1, 1953. He professed his Perpetual Vows as a Missionary Oblate Brother on August 2, 1960 at the Novitiate in Colebrook and had just celebrated his 47th anniversary as a perpetually professed Oblate Brother.

Bro. "Moe," as he was known, spent many years in ministry in Oblate Retreat Houses, having served at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Retreat House in Hudson, NH from 1960 to 1963 and again from 1987 to 1990. He also ministered at the St. Paul Retreat Center in Augusta, ME from 1963 to 1966 and at Immaculata Retreat House in Willimantic, Conn. from 1971 to 1976. He was on staff at the Oblate General House in Rome, Italy from 1966 to 1970 and again from 1976 to 1987.

Later, Bro. Moe was named Director of the Oblate Seminary Residence in Brighton, Mass., where he served from 1990 to 1993. His final assignment took him to the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace in Colebrook, N.H. Bro. Moe arrived in July of 1993 and served until his time of death. He was Assistant to the Shrine Director and ran the gift shop for many years, along with other duties as part of the shrine staff.

He is survived by one sister, Theresa "Audie" and her husband, John "Jean" Lambert, of Mount Vernon, three brothers- and sisters-in-law, Alexis and Rita Violette of Augusta; Lionel and Cecile Violette of Floyds Knobs, Ind. and Camille and Gloria Violette of Biddeford, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by nine siblings: Rene, Alcide, Bertha, Antionette, Romeo, Emilie, Cecile, Raoule and Hilda.

Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant Street, Augusta, is in charge of arrangements. Calling hours will be on Monday, August 27 from 7-9 p.m. at the Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian burial will be on Tuesday, August 28 at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine's Church, Northern Avenue, Augusta. Bro. Violette's remains will then be transported to Massachusetts for services.

All services will be in the Chapel at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence, 486 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, Mass. Calling hours will be on Wednesday, August 29 from 9-10:30 a.m., followed immediately by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Burial will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery, 96 Riverneck Road, East Chelmsford, Mass.

Donations in memory of Bro. Violette may be made to the Oblate Infirmary Fund, 486 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876-2849.