Rev. Rudolph Leveille

OLD TOWN and BANGOR - The Rev. Rudolph J. Leveille, 87, was called to his eternal home on March 10, 2019 after a brief illness. He was born in Old Town, Maine September 23, 1931, the son of the late Rudolph J. (Duffy) Leveille, Sr. and the late Isabel R. (Pelletier) Leveille. He attended St. Joseph Grammar School in Old Town and graduated from John Bapst High School as Valedictorian of the class of 1949. He attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, from 1949-1951 and the Seminary of Philosophy in Montreal Canada for two years earning a degree in Philosophy. From 1953-1957 he attended the Grand Seminary of Montreal, for Theology, and was ordained to the Priesthood at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland by the Most Rev. Daniel J. Feeney D.D. Bishop of Portland, Maine. His first Mass was celebrated on Trinity Sunday, June 16, 1957 at St. Joseph Church, Old Town. His first assignment was as Associate Pastor at St. Joseph Church, Portland. On September 5, 1957 thru September 1967 he was named Associate Pastor of St. Patrick Church, Portland, from September 1967-1969 he was assigned to St. Margaret Church, Old Orchard Beach, after which he was assigned to St. Mary’s Church, Bangor from 1969-1972. His first Pastorate was at Sacred Heart Church, Hallowell, from October 4, 1972 thru June 30, 1981. While in Hallowell, the Centenary of Sacred Heart Parish was celebrated in 1978. Father also served as Administrator of St. Dennis Church, North Whitefield, 1975-76. On June 30, 1981 Father’s ministry brought him to St. Mary’s Church, Orono, where many of his Leveille ancestors earlier lived. (His father received First Holy Communion at St. Mary’s while the family resided in Orono in the early 1900’s). Father moved to Brewer as pastor of St. Teresa Church on July 1, 1987 and completed ten years there retiring July 1, 1997 for health reasons. In 1996 while at St. Teresa, the parish observed the 100th year of its founding. As a student in Montreal, both in Philosophy and Theology he served as the Master of Ceremonies for the liturgical ceremonies, that helped develop a love for the Church liturgies. While in Hallowell, Father served on the Senate of Priests as a representative of the Southern Kennebec Deanery and a term also as Senate President, 1979-1981. He also served as State Friar of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Assembly of Maine, Spiritual Moderator for the Augusta District Maine Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, Chaplain for St. Mary’s Circle #425 Daughters of Isabella, Orono. Since being at St. Teresa, he has served as Chaplain of the Ave Maria Circle #422, Daughters of Isabella for 25+ years. For the past several years he has served as Chaplain of Fr. Druilette Council #2537 Knights of Columbus in Old Town where he has been a member since 1951. During the past 21 years of active retirement, Father has supplied ministry as needed in all of the Bangor-Brewer parishes, as well as Hampden, Winterport and the Old Town cluster parishes of Orono, Indian Island and Bradley. Fr. Rudy was blessed with his nephews Gregory Chappelle of Old Town, Daniel Chappelle and his wife, Ellen of Seattle, WA and niece Geralyn “Lynn” Dyer and husband Jeffrey of Old Town. Also a great nephew, Nathan Dyer of Old Town, a family friend Carter Heath, as well as several cousins and many caring friends and former parishioners. He was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law Delcina Leveille Chappelle and Byron “Buddy” Chappelle. Father enjoyed spending summers at his family camp at Pushaw Lake. He was an avid fan of Duke Basketball, and Coach K. He looked forward to his John Bapst High School Reunions and organizing and attending bus trips to NYC. He attended daily lunches with his circle of friends and enjoyed spending time socializing with the large group of friends near and far he has come to know and meet through the many parishes he was associated with. Father could always be found with his camera in hand as photography and floral arranging were his hobbies. The Rite of Reception and Liturgy of the Hours will be held 3pm Thursday, March 14, 2019 at the Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord, Holy Family Church 429 Main St., Old Town where he will lie in state from 3pm until 7pm during which time family and friends may visit. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am Friday, March 15, 2019 at the Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord, Holy Family Church, 429 Main Street, Old Town, with the Most Rev. Robert P. Deeley, Bishop of Portland as the principal celebrant. A reception will follow immediately after at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 5 Gilman Falls Avenue in Old Town. Committal prayers and burial will take place in the family lot at Forest Hill Cemetery in Old Town in the spring. Those who wish to remember Fr. Leveille in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Clergy Health Plan, Diocese of Portland, 510 Ocean Ave, Portland, Maine 04103, or Holy Family Parish, 429 Main St, Old Town, Maine 04468. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com