Roger P. Bilodeau

On Saturday, January 30, 2021, the Reverend Roger P. Bilodeau was called to his rest and to the glory of the Resurrection promised by the Lord, having received the prayerful support of the Faithful and the consolation of the Sacraments. He was 85 years old.

Father Bilodeau was born on December 17, 1935 in Manchester, New Hampshire the son of Phylias and Melina (Fontaine) Bilodeau. Father Bilodeau was ordained a priest on May 15, 1965 by the Most Reverend Thomas J. Riley, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston, at Saint Theresa Church in Manchester. Father Bilodeau studied at Saint Anselm College, Manchester and then completed his ecclesiastical studies at Saint Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland.

He was assigned as associate pastor of the following parishes: Saint James Parish, Portsmouth; Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Manchester; Saint Martin Parish, Somersworth; Saint Charles Parish, Dover; Saint John the Baptist Parish, Manchester; Saint Anne Parish, Berlin as well as Administrator of Saint Benedict Parish, Cascade.

Father Bilodeau was appointed pastor of the following parishes: Saint Joseph Parish, Woodsville; Saint John the Baptist Parish, Suncook; Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Hudson; Sacred Heart Parish, Laconia; Saint Joseph Parish, Lincoln where he served faithfully until his retirement in 2005. In 2006 Father Bilodeau served as temporary Administrator of Saint John the Baptist Parish, Suncook.

He served as Chaplain for the NH Department Catholic War Vets and the Lincoln Police Department; Diocesan Personnel Board; Diocesan Matrimonial Court Judge; Priest Senator for the Concord Deanery; Council of Priests for the Nashua Deanery; Dean of Laconia Deanery, Franconia Deanery, and White Mountain Deanery; Trustee for the Holy Trinity Endowment Fund; and was the confessor to the Sisters of the Precious Blood.

During his retirement, Father Bilodeau remained actively engaged in parish ministry.

Father Bilodeau was passionate about the life he chose and unknowingly touched thousands of lives. While he enjoyed being a prankster, he will be remembered as a kind and gentle man who truly cared for others and made them feel as though they had been lifelong friends.

Family members include Denyse Chabot and husband David of Manchester; nephews and nieces, Michael Blandina and wife Ali of Kingston, MA, Michelle Blandina and husband Jake Remignanti of York, ME, Timothy Blandina of Manchester who was also Father Bilodeau's Godson.
He was predeceased by his siblings, Marcel and Aime Bilodeau, and Jeanne d'Arc Labrie.

Calling hours are Thursday, February 4, 2021 from 4:00p.m. until 7:00p.m. at the Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm Street, Manchester, New Hampshire. The Mass of Christ the High Priest will be offered at St. Joseph Cathedral, Thursday, evening at 7:15p.m. The Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci, Bishop of Manchester, will preside at a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Cathedral, 145 Lowell Street, Manchester, N.H., Friday, February 5, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. The Rite of Committal will take place after the Mass at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Manchester, New Hampshire.

With faith and hope in eternal life, let us commend our brother to the love and mercy of God and assist him with our prayers.

Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Warde Health Center, 21 Searles Rd, Windham, NH 03087 or to the Community Hospice House, 7 Executive Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054.

To send an online message of condolence, please go to www.lambertfuneralhome.com.