On August 19, 2022, at the age of 96, Father Thomas Villeneuve passed away at the Cornwall Hospice.
According to a memo released by the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall on August 20, “Fr. Thomas Villeneuve was born on June 28, 1926, in Lachine, Quebec, to Ernest Villeneuve and Kathleen Gagnon. He studied arts and philosophy at the Seminary of Philosophy in Montreal and theology at the Grand Seminary of Ottawa.”
Father Thomas Villeneuve touched the lives of many in his 68 years serving the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall. He was ordained to the priesthood at St. Columban Parish in Cornwall in 1953. He served as an assistant pastor in Cornwall at St. John Bosco Parish and St. Francis de Sales Parish before being appointed pastor of St. Paul’s Parish in Dalkeith in 1957.
He was appointed pastor at seven other churches over the course of his ministry, including St. Anthony Parish in Apple Hill, St. Michael’s Church in Monkland, Our Lady of Grace in Ingleside, St. Pius X in Long Sault, the historic parish of St. Raphael’s in St. Raphaels, St. Mary in Williamstown, and St. William in Martintown.
Father Thomas retired in 2001, after which he assisted occasionally in various parishes until an accident in 2010 limited his mobility.
“He was a very religious priest, very old fashioned,” said Father Thomas’ sister, Madeleine Cardinal, “He had a very nice, quiet death. He was in hospice for three days.”
He is survived by six sisters and predeceased by one brother.
Visitation will take place at Wilson Funeral Home on Thursday, August 25 from 2 – 4 PM and 7 – 9 PM. There will also be a visitation at St. Columban Church starting at 11 AM on August 26 until the funeral at 2 PM.
