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August 10, 2021Reverend Ronald Brassard, 74, Pastor Emeritus of Immaculate Conception Parish, Cranston, died August 6, 2021.
Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, son of the late Ernest and Cecile (Gousie) Brassard, he attended Holy Trinity School, Central Falls, and St. Raphael Academy, Pawtucket.
In preparation for the priesthood, he studied at Our Lady of Providence Seminary, Warwick, and at the Catholic University of America (School of Religious Studies), in Washington, DC. He was ordained to the priesthood on April 21, 1974 at St. John the Baptist Parish, Pawtucket, by Most Reverend Louis Gelineau.
Father Brassard then served as assistant pastor at St. Thomas Parish, Providence, and chaplain for the diocesan Apostolate for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired (1974-75); Director for the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy (1975-83); Assistant Chancellor of the Diocese of Providence (1980-83); Director of Liturgy at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL (1983-88); Administrator pro tem at St. Andrew Parish, Block Island (1988); and assistant pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish, Cranston (1988-94).
In 1994, Father Brassard was appointed Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Cranston, and served there until 2015, when he was transferred to St. Mark Parish, Jamestown. In 2017, Bishop Tobin named Father Brassard as Pastor Emeritus of Immaculate Conception Parish, Cranston, upon Father’s retirement from the active ministry.
In addition to his other responsibilities, Father served as diocesan Dean (Vicar Forane) of Deanery VI (2013-15). Father resided in Cranston during his retirement.
A Mass for Vocations will be offered on Friday, August 13, at 6pm, at Immaculate Conception Parish, Garden Hills Drive, Cranston.
Calling Hours will be held on Friday, August 13, following the Mass until 9pm, in Immaculate Conception Church, Cranston,
A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for Father’s soul on Saturday, August 14, at 10am, at Immaculate Conception Parish, Cranston.
Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence.
