Robert A. Marchand

The Reverend Robert A. Marchand, 90, of Moody, ME died July 18, 2019.
Born in Manchester, NH on September 9, 1928, he was the son of Arthur and Aurea (Barnabe) Marchand.
Father Marchand attended parochial schools at St. John the Baptist and Ste. Marie Parish, and Ste. Marie High School. He graduated from St. Anselm College, Magna Cum Laude, in 1948 and took further courses at Catholic University, Washington, DC.
Pursuing ecclesiastical studies for the Catholic Priesthood at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, MD, he was subsequently ordained to the Catholic Priesthood, receiving the degree of Licentiate in Sacred Theology. He was ordained on June 7, 1952 at St. Joseph Cathedral, by the Most Reverend Bishop Matthew F. Brady D. D. Fifth Bishop of Manchester.
After ordination, he was assigned to the following parishes: St. Joseph in Hinsdale, Guardian Angel in Berlin, Holy Rosary in Rochester, St. Cecilia in Wolfeboro, St. Joseph in Center Ossipee, St. Aloysius in Nashua, and St. Anthony in Manchester.
Father Marchand became Pastor of St. Leo in Gonic for two years; Pastor of St. Martin in Somersworth for fifteen years; and Pastor of St. Theresa in Manchester for twelve years. Along with being Associate Pastor in the city of Berlin, Father Marchand was the Athletic Director, and taught religion at Notre Dame High School. He was also manager of Notre Dame Arena for four years. In addition, Father Marchand taught medical ethics to student nurses at St. Louis Hospital for four years.
On the diocesan level, Father Marchand served on the Liturgy Committee for seven years and on the Religious Education Committee for seven years. He also served on the Council of Priests for two years.
Ever a musician, singer, pianist and organist, he composed an Ave Maria at age sixteen. This work was sung often at Ste. Marie Church in Manchester, and at churches in Ontario, Canada.
Bishop Odore Gendron assigned Father Marchand to chaplaincy of ACA (Association Canado Americaine), which he served for twenty years.
He retired from active ministry in 1997. Subsequently, he served on weekends in 64 parishes in the Diocese of Manchester, and 6 parishes in the Diocese of Portland, ME.
For many years, Father Marchand promoted, encouraged and supported the NH Legends of Hockey, of which he was a Charter Member.
He was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Claire (Marchand) and Dr. Lionel Tardiff in April of this year.
Family members include four nephews and nieces; ten grand nephews and nieces; cousins; and many friends.
The Most Rev. Peter A. Libasci, Bishop of Manchester, presided at a Mass of Christian burial on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at St. Marie Church, Notre Dame Ave. The Rite of Committal was celebrated immediately after the Mass at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 474 Goffstown Road, Manchester. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Priests Retirement Trust Fund, c/o Diocese of Manchester, 153 Ash St, PO Box 310, Manchester NH 03105-0310.
Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, Manchester, assisted with the arrangements. Please go to www.lambertfuneralhome.com.