Obituary of Barthole Charbonneau

BARTHOLE CHARBONNEAU, OFM (RIP) Fr. Barthole Charbonneau, OFM, a professed Franciscan Friar for 70 years and a priest for 63 years, died on Wednesday, October 30, 2013, at Dove Home, in Regina, SK. He was 90 years old. The last sibling in a large family, Barthole was predeceased by five brothers (Maurice, Gerard, Norbert, Robert, Theodore) and two sisters (Stella and Lorraine). He was born on July 29, 1923, in Sainte-Rose-du-Lac, Manitoba, to Ovide and Marie (Payette) Charbonneau, and was given the baptismal names “Joseph Louis Leonel.” He answered to the name “Leonel” until he received the religious name, “Barthole,” when he joined the Franciscan Friars. Barthole entered the Franciscan Order in 1942, and lived in Sherbrooke and Montreal, QC, during his time in Franciscan formation. A year after his ordination to the priesthood Barthole went to the missions in Peru – in the Amazon jungle, and later, in the city of Moquegua - where he spent the next 57 years of his life. He returned to Canada in 2009 due to ill health, and retired to the Franciscan community at St. Michael’s Retreat, in Lumsden, SK. A year later, because of declining health, Barthole moved into Dove Home, where he received exceptional care until his death. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael’s Retreat Centre, Lumsden, SK on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a lunch. A Prayer Service and burial of cremains will take place at Mount St. Francis Retreat, Cochrane, AB on Friday, November 8, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. May our brother rest in peace.