LEVESQUE, Gerard-Magella

L'ABBE GERARD-MAGELLA LEVESQUE L'abbe Gerard-Magella Levesque est decede apres quelques mois de maladie le samedi 22 novembre 2003 a la Residence Cardinal-Vachon dans la ville de Quebec. Gerard-Magella, ne a Saint-Joachim de Tourelle (Gaspesie), le 24 aout 1927, etait le fils de Joseph D. Levesque et de Mary McGrath. Apres ses etudes primaires et secondaires dans son village natal (1933-1943), Gerard-M. poursuivit ses etudes au Seminaire de Gaspe (1944-45 et 1947-53); Ecole technique de Rimouski (1946-1947); annee d'etude a l'Ecole normale Jacques-Cartier a Montreal (1954-1955). Il enseigna pendant deux annees avant d'obtenir son brevet d'enseignement et, par la suite, pendant trois annees consecutives. Gerard-M. entreprit ses etudes en theologie au Grand Seminaire de Saint-Boniface (1958-1962), puis il fut ordonne pretre pour le diocese de Saint-Boniface a Saint-Joachim de Tourelle, Qc, par Mgr Paul Bernier, eveque de Gaspe, le 30 juin 1962. Successivement, l'abbe Gerard-Magella Levesque fut vicaire a Lorette (1962-1963), a Saint-Claude (1963-1964) et a la Cathedrale (1964-1969). Il fut nomme cure a Richer (1969-1981), en y incluant Sainte-Genevieve et Ross (1974-1981). Apres un temps sabbatique en (1981-1982), il passa quelques mois comme directeur au Petit Seminaire. En 1982-1983, il a ete adjoint au cure de Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes. Il devint ensuite cure de Saint-Jean-Baptiste (1983-1990), puis de Sainte-Agathe (1990-1999). En prenant sa retraite en 1999, l'abbe Gerard-Magella a choisi d'aller demeurer dans la region de la ville de Quebec ou habite une bonne partie de sa famille. Il voulait continuer a se rendre disponible pour un ministere occasionnel dans le diocese de Quebec. Tout en quittant le Manitoba, il demeurait incardine dans le diocese de Saint-Boniface ou il avait exerce son ministere pendant 37 ans dans differentes paroisses francophones avec fidelite et devouement pastoral. Il y aura visionnement au Salon mortuaire Gilles Marmen et Fils, Ltee, a Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Qc, le jeudi 27 novembre de 19h a 22h et le vendredi 28 novembre de 10h a midi. Les funerailles de l'abbe Levesque auront lieu a l'eglise Saint-Joachim de Tourelle le vendredi 28 novembre 2003 a 14h. Nous vous communiquerons au debut de decembre le jour et l'heure d'une celebration commemorative, avec Eucharistie, a la Cathedrale de Saint-Boniface. FATHER GERARD-MAGELLA LEVESQUE Father Gerard-Magella Levesque died after a few months of illness on Saturday, November 22, 2003 at Residence Cardinal-Vachon in Quebec City. Gerard-Magella, son of Joseph D. Levesque and Mary McGrath, was born in Saint Joachim de Tourelle, QC, on August 24, 1927. He attended primary and secondary school in Saint Joachim de Tourelle (1933-1943). He then pursued his studies at the Gaspe Minor Seminary (1944-45 and 1947-53); at the Technical School in Rimouski (1946-1947); at the Jacques-Cartier Normal School in Montreal (1954-1955) where he obtained his teaching certificate. He taught school for a period of five years. Gerard-M. took his theological studies at the St. Boniface Major Seminary (1958-1962). He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of St. Boniface by Bishop Paul Bernier of Gaspe, at St. Joachim de Tourelle, QC, on June 30, 1962. Father Levesque served consecutively in the following parishes, assistant in Lorette (1962-1963), in St. Claude (1963-1964), and at the Cathedral (1964-1969). He was then appointed pastor in Richer (1969-1981) including Ste. Genevieve and Ross (1974-1981). After a brief sabbatical (1981-1982), Father Gerard-M. was a director at the Minor Seminary for a few months, before being appointed assistant pastor in Notre Dame de Lourdes (1982-1983). He was pastor of St. Jean Baptiste (1983-1990), then of Ste. Agathe (1990-1999). Retiring in 1999, Father Levesque chose to move to the Quebec City area to be closer to his siblings. He continued to be available for occasional ministry. Father served in the Archdiocese of St. Boniface for 37 years, as a priest devoted to his ministry and to pastoral care. Viewing at the Gilles Marmen et Fils Funeral Home, in Sainte Anne des Monts, QC, will take place on Thursday, November 27 from 7:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m., and on Friday, November 28, from 10:00 a.m. till noon. The Funeral Mass for Father Levesque will be celebrated in Saint Joachim de Tourelle church, on Friday, November 28 at 2:00 p.m. You will be advised in early December of the date and time of a commemorative mass in the St. Boniface Cathedral.


Source : The Winnipeg Free Press, MB
Parution : 2003-11-26