On October 31, 2010, the Reverend Andre L. Bedard was called to his rest and to the glory of the Resurrection promised by the Lord. He was 80 years old.
Father Bedard was born on May 13, 1930 in Goffstown, New Hampshire and was ordained a priest on February 2, 1957 by the Most Reverend Matthew F. Brady D.D., Fifth Bishop of Manchester, at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Manchester. Father Bedard studied at Saint Anselm College, Manchester and then he completed his ecclesiastical studies at Saint John Seminary in Brighton, MA.
Father Bedard was assigned as temporary associate pastor of Saint Timothy Parish in Bristol in February, 1957 and then as associate pastor of Saint Augustine Parish in Manchester in March, 1957. In February, 1963, Father Bedard was assigned as associate pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Laconia and then in September, 1963 as associate pastor of Infant Jesus Parish in Nashua. In September, 1966, he was assigned as associate pastor at Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Manchester and later that month he was assigned to temporary ministry at Saint Timothy Parish, Bristol. In January, 1967 Father Bedard was assigned to Sacred Heart Parish, Manchester and in June, 1967 he returned to Saint Timothy Parish, Bristol until September, 1967, when he returned to Sacred Heart Parish, Manchester. In June, 1969, Father Bedard was appointed Diocesan Assistant Youth Director and served as associate pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Manchester. In June, 1970, he was assigned to ministry at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Manchester, while still retaining his position as Diocesan Youth Director. In November of 1970, he was assigned to ministry at Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Manchester as well as Youth Ministry Director.
In January, 1972, Most Reverend Ernest J. Primeau, D.D., S.T.D. appointed Father Bedard as temporary administrator of Saint Mary Parish, Hillsborough and in April, 1972 temporary administrator of Saint Mary Parish, Rollinsford. In August of 1972, he became pastor of Saint Mary Parish in Rollinsford. In May, 1975, Bishop Odore J. Gendron, D.D. appointed Father Bedard pastor of Saint Paul Parish in Franklin and in September, 1976 as pastor of Our Lady of the Mountains Parish in North Conway. In June, 1981, Bishop Gendron appointed Father Bedard as pastor of Saint Paul Parish in Candia. In December, 1981 Father Bedard resigned his pastorate in Candia. In January, 1982, he became pastor of Saint Margaret Mary Parish in Keene. In June, 1993 Bishop Leo E. O’Neil appointed him pastor of Saint John the Baptist Parish, Suncook. In June, 1994 he became pastor of Saint Patrick Parish, Bennington, where he served faithfully until his retirement in June, 2000.
Father Bedard’s other assignments included Diocesan Director of Boy Scouts from November, 1960 – June 1975; Diocesan Staff, Pre-Cana/Cana Conference; Chaplain, Diocesan Camps; Chaplain, Court Annie Nesmith #850, CDA, Franklin, 3 yrs., June, 1975. He also served as Manchester Catholic Chaplain f/Civil Defense and Chaplain at Camp Carpenter, Manchester. He attended the Institution for continuing Theological Education at Casa Santa Maria, Rome, Italy for the Spring 1984 session.
During his retirement, Father Bedard remained actively engaged in parish ministry.
He leaves five siblings: Aliette Demers of Manchester, Maurice Bedard of Goffstown, Lucienne Pinard of Manchester, Paul Bedard of Dunbarton, and Robert Bedard of Goffstown; many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by six siblings, Antonio Bedard, Camille Bedard, Edmond Bedard, Albert Bedard, Normand Bedard and Rene Bedard.
On Wednesday, November 3, 2010, the Rite of Reception of the Body took place at Blessed John XXIII Parish, Infant Jesus Church, 121 Allds Street in Nashua.
On Thursday, November 4, 2010, the Most Reverend Francis J. Christian, Auxiliary Bishop of Manchester, presided at a Mass of Christian Burial at Infant Jesus Church.
Private burial was at Our Lady of the Mountains Cemetery in North Conway at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations may be made to NHCC for Bishop Peterson Residence for Priests, 221 Orange St., Manchester, NH 03104
Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., Manchester, was in charge of arrangements.