Rev. Fr. L. Chanel Cyr

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Reverend L. Chanel Cyr, 88, a priest of the Diocese of Portland who passed away Friday, July 18, 2014 at an Eagle Lake nursing facility, following a brief illness. He was born June 21, 1926 in Van Buren, the son of Alphee and Nellie (Pelletier) Cyr.

After completing his clerical studies at the Marist College in Framingham, MA, he was ordained to the priesthood for the Marist Fathers by the Most Reverend Daniel J. Freeney on Saturday, July 25, 1953, at St. Bruno’s Church, Van Buren. Fr. L. Chanel Cyr served in various assignments with the Marist Fathers in Massachusetts (Waltham, Lawrence and Haverhill), Michigan, and Rhode Island. In October 1962, he answered the call to serve as a missionary in the Fiji Island. In July 1968, he was incardinated in the Archdiocese of Suva, Fiji Islands. In 1980, he returned to the United States and served in the following assignments; St. Edmund Parish, Westbrook – Temporary Administrator (October 1980 – June 1981), Notre Dame Parish, Waterville -Parochial Vicar & Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Fairfield (January 1981 – June 1981), St. Joseph Parish, Biddeford – Parochial Vicar (June 1981 – June 1982), St. Athanasius & St. John Parish, Rumford – Parochial Vicar (June 1982 – December 1984), St. Joseph Hospital, Bangor – Chaplain (December 1984 – April 1985, followed by a mini-sabbatical). Fr. Cyr was incardinated as a priest of the Diocese of Portland on June 7, 1985 and served St. Louis Parish, Fort Kent – Parochial Vicar (Summer 1985), Our Lady of the Lakes, Oquossoc – Pastor (September 1985 – October 1990), Sacred Heart, Lubec – Pastor (October 1990 – July 1995, at which time he retired from full-time ministry).

Over the years, Fr. Cyr’s superiors have described him as “an effective parish priest” … “very devoted, sincere and hard-working person”… “A gem of a missionary, who works without counting cost.” At the time of Fr. Chanel’s retirement, Bishop Joseph J. Gerry, OSB, acknowledged with gratitude his “accepting to serve in areas of the diocese which are isolated and mission-like.”

In addition to his parents, Fr. Cyr was predeceased by one brother, Dr. Gilman N. Cyr, Ph.D. He is survived by his brother, George Reginald “Reggie” Cyr and his wife, Sheila of Towson, MD; his sister-in-law, Theresa O’Donnell Cyr of Cranbury, NJ; and his nieces and nephews, Timothy Cyr of Bearsville, NY, Michael Cyr of Liberty, ME, Peter Cyr of Cranbury, NJ, Paul Cyr of Raleigh, NC, Mary Cyr of Kansas City, MO and Elizabeth Krull of Jamestown, NJ.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated today, Thursday, July 24, 2014 at 1 p.m. at the Parish of the Precious Blood, St. Louis Catholic Church, Main Street, Limestone, with the Most Reverend Robert P. Deeley, J.C.D., Bishop of Portland, principal celebrant. Interment will be conducted at a later date in Massachusetts. Those who wish may contribute in memory of Father Cyr to the Catholic Foundation of Maine, P.O. Box 799, Portland, ME 04014. Online condolence may be expressed at www.gibersondorseyfuneralhome.com

“May Chanel’s soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”

Obituary by Giberson-Doresy Funeral Home

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jun 22 2017, 18:25:03 UTC