FATHER RAYMOND A. GIROUX
BOMOSEEN — Father Raymond A. Giroux, age 73 years, died peacefully Friday, December 14, 2007, at his residence on Lake Bomoseen. He was born in Burlington on January 22, 1934, the son of Abel and Aline (Choiniere) Giroux. Father Giroux attended St. Michaels College, Colchester, St. John's Seminary, Boston, Fordham University, New York City and The Grand Seminary, Montreal Canada. He also attended the University of Vermont, McGill University in Montreal and Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1963 by Bishop Robert F. Joyce at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Burlington, VT. His priestly assignments began at St. Pius X, Essex Center, (1963). He also served as assistant at Christ the King, Rutland (1963-65), St. Monica Barre (1966-69) and served as principle of Marian High School, Barre (1966-69) and was on the staff of Rice Memorial High School, South Burlington (1969-72). His first pastorate was at St. Luke, Fairfax (1972-77). He also served as pastor of Holy Angels, St. Albans, (1977-86), St. Peter, Rutland, (1986-94), St. John Vianney, South Burlington, (1994-98), and St Bridget, West Rutland (1998-2001). Father Giroux was granted Senior Priest status in 2001. His Diocesan responsibilities included Defender of the Bond, ProSynod Judge and Advocate, Diocesan Media Board and Associate to the Publisher of the Vermont Catholic Tribune and Alcohol Advisory Board. Father Giroux also served as chairman of the Vermont Board of Parole, chairman of the Saint Albans Housing Authority and was a member of the Rutland Housing Authority He leaves a sister-in-law, Mrs. Anne Giroux of Wichita, Kansas; nieces and nephews, Robert, Mary, Thomas, John, Edmund and Angela Giroux, Anne Jusinski and Martin, Raymond, David and Daniel Giroux along with their spouses, great nieces, nephews and many cousins. Father Giroux was predeceased by his father in 1968, his mother in 1988 and a brother Robert Giroux in 2007. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 11a.m. from The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 20 Pine St., Burlington. The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, Bishop of Burlington will be the celebrant and Father Thomas V. Mattison the homilist. The Rite of Committal with Interment will follow in the Giroux family lot in the New Mount Calvary Cemetery, Plattsburgh Avenue, Burlington. Relatives and friends may call at The Kidder Memorial Home, 89 Grand Avenue, Swanton on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and again from 7 to 9 p.m. when the immediate family will be in attendance. There will also be a time of visitation on Thursday morning at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception from 9. to 10:30 a.m. Gifts in Father Giroux's memory may be made to, The Priest Benefit Fund, P.O. Box 489, Burlington 05402-0489. To print this obituary or offer online condolences please visit: www.kiddermemorialhome.com
Father Ray Giroux & His Mother While Here In Fairfax In 1976
BURLINGTON -- The Liturgy of Christian Burial was concelebrated Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007, at 11 a.m. from The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The principle celebrant was The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, Bishop of Burlington. Main concelebrants were the Rev. Msgr. Wendell H. Searles, Fr. Thomas J. Ball, Fr. Peter A. Routhier, V.G., and Fr. Thomas V. Mattison, who also delivered the homily. Also concelebrating were approximately 50 priests from the Diocese of Burlington and The Society of St. Edmund. Father John J. McDermott served as the Master of Ceremonies and Chaplain to the Bishop. The Reverend Mr. Duane Langlois served as Deacon. Assisting at the Altar were Father Daniel E. White and Seminarian Timothy Maples. Music was provided by organist and soloist, Celia K. Asbell.
A large guard of honor was provided at both the funeral home and the Cathedral by members of the Fourth degree Knights of Columbus, St. Edmund of Canterbury Council 2207 Swanton, Bishop Louis DeGoesbriand Assembly 1148 Burlington and Assembly 1149 St. Albans. The White Funeral Pall was draped over Fr. Giroux’s casket by Galina, Pat and Zahm Giroux. The Crucifix was then placed by Mrs. Anne Giroux. The Old Testament Reading was proclaimed by Angela Giroux and The New Testament Reading by Bella Giroux. Anne Jasinski, Florence Dexter and Margaret Watson presented The Offertory Gifts. Following Communion Special Words of Remembrance were shared by Robert Giroux.
Among the many delegations in attendance were representatives from The Vermont Senate and House of Representatives led by former Governors Philip and Mrs. Hoff , Thomas Salmon and his son Auditor Thomas Salmon, St. Michael’s College, Rice Memorial High School, Vermont State Parole Board, University of Vermont, St. Albans Housing Authority, Rutland Housing Authority, Vermont Catholic Tribune, Diocese of Burlington Bishop Brady Center, Sisters of St. Joseph, Religious Sisters of Mercy, Sisters of Providence, Pomerleau Agency, Pizzagali Construction, Heald, Ready, and Brady & Levesque Funeral Homes, Wood & Kidder, Inc, Franklin County Home Health Agency, Rutland Hospice, Fletcher Allen Health Care and many parish communities from throughout the Burlington Diocese.
The Rite of Committal with Interment followed at the Giroux family lot the New Mount Calvary Cemetery with Bishop Matano assisted by Fr. McDermott reading the committal prayers. The bearers, all nephews, were Robert, Thomas, Edmund, Martin, Raymond, David, Daniel and Taylor Giroux. Following The Prayers of committal a reception was served to family and friends at the Doubletree Hotel in S. Burlington.
Henry A. Raymond
vtgrandpa@yahoo.com
December 21, 2007