PAWTUCKET—Reverend Roger E. Belhumeur, 84, pastor emeritus of St. Agnes Church, Providence died on Sept. 28.
Born in Central Falls, he was the son of the late Gaspard and Regina (Johnson) Belhumeur, he attended the former Notre Dame School and Central Falls High School, Central Falls, and Brown University in Providence. In preparation for the priesthood, he studied at Phillip Neri School in Boston, Mass, at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Warwick Neck and at St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, Md., and was ordained a priest on May 27, 1961 at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Providence by Bishop Russell J. McVinney.
After his ordination, Father Belhumeur was teaching as a Sulpician at St. Joseph College, Mountain View, California (1961-1962). In September 1962, he was appointed assistant pastor at Immaculate Conception Church, Cranston; in September 1963, he became a teacher at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Warwick Neck with residence and part-time assistant pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, West Warwick. In September 1965, he was appointed part-time assistant at St. Rose Church, Warwick, then in 1969, at Immaculate Conception Church, Cranston and full time assistant in March 1973. In December 1973, Father Belhumeur was transferred to serve as chaplain to Mary, Immaculate Queen Novitiate, Newport and remained there until September 1979 when he was appointed pastor of St. Agnes Church, Providence but resigned in May 1991 due to failing health. However, at the same time, he became part-time assistant at St. Mary Church, Newport and served there until June 1994 when he was promoted to pastor emeritus of St. Agnes Church, Providence.
In addition to his other duties, Father Belhumeur was also vice president of the Priests’ Personnel Board for two terms (1978-1980-82); member of the Council of Priests and the College of Consultors (1984). He was an United States Air Force veteran.
In his retirement, he lived at St. John Vianney Residence. He is survived by a brother Henry Belhumeur of Cumberland; and several nephews and nieces. He was the brother of the late Arthur, George, Armand, Roland and Leo Belhumeur; and Jeannette Weldon, Lauretta Erdon, Rita Powers, Estelle Marcoux and Anita Belhumeur.
A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial for the repose of his soul was offered at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, North Providence on Oct. 1 with Bishop Robert C. Evans as the main celebrant. Father John E. Unsworth was the homilist. Burial was at Notre Dame Cemetery, Pawtucket.
