Contributed by Acadian Archives
Description
A native of the Province of Quebec, Father Arthur-Marie Décary studied at the Grand Séminaire in Montreal before immigrating to the United States. He served as an assistant in Brunswick and Augusta. Shortly thereafter, he became pastor of the parish of Saint-Louis in Fort Kent, where he served for fifteen years. His time in Fort Kent was eventful. The first church burned to the ground in 1907. He led the construction of a temporary church building that also served as a school before the structure that still stands today was built. For a time, his brother Zénon Décary, also a priest, served as his assistant.
It was also during Décary's tenure that the Little Franciscans of Mary took charge of Catholic education and that a new cemetery was inaugurated in Fort Kent. In 1918, the parish contended with the influenza epidemic.
In 1919, Bishop Louis S. Walsh appointed Décary to the parish of Saint-André in Biddeford. Father Raoul Bourbeau of Saint Agatha succeeded him in Fort Kent. Décary's time in Biddeford was also noted for construction projects and the expansion of Catholic institutions.
Décary died accidentally in 1957. Funeral ceremonies were held in Dorval, Quebec, and Biddeford. His body was interred in the latter place.
He was the son of Charles Décary and Hélène Valois.
Transcription
About This Item
- Title: Arthur-Marie Décary funeral card, Biddeford, 1957
- Creation Date: 1957
- Subject Date: 1957
-
Locations:
- Fort Kent, Aroostook County, ME
- Biddeford, York County, ME
- Augusta, Kennebec County, ME
- Media: Ink on paper
- Dimensions: 11.0 cm x 6.5 cm
- Local Code: Acadian Genealogy F29.M37 [199-]
- Collection: Memorial Cards Compiled by Father Alphé[e] Marquis
- Object Type: Text and Image
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Catholic Clergyman
- Catholics--Maine--Biddeford
- Funeral prayer cards--Maine
- Funeral rites and ceremonies
- Influenza Pandemic, 1918-1919
People
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
Acadian ArchivesUMFK, 23 University Drive, Fort Kent, ME 04743
(207) 834-7535
Website
Use of this Item is not restricted by copyright and/or related rights, but the holding organization is contractually obligated to limit use. For more information, please contact the contributing organization. However, watermarked Maine Memory Network images may be used for educational purposes.
More to Consider
Item 64428
Reverend Arthur Decary, Biddeford, ca. 1930
Item 64429
Reverend Zenon Decary, Biddeford, ca. 1940
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