Fr. Richard R. Gosselin, 81 of Methuen, MA, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 6, 2014 at the Mary Immaculate Nursing and Restorative Center in Lawrence, MA, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Methuen, MA and was the son of the late Marie Ann (Godbout) and Wilfrid J. Gosselin.
Fr. Gosselin was a proud graduate of the Class of 1951 from Central Catholic High School in Lawrence. After being ordained in 1959 as one of a class of 75 priests from St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA, Fr. Gosselin served the Lord joyfully over a 54 year career, taking special joy in working with youth. He encouraged many young people to become involved in youth ministry and organized many trips skiing, sledding and to the beach. His parish assignments included Scituate, Chelsea, Stoughton, Woburn, Medford, Newburyport and Ayer, MA.
Fr. Gosselin retired from St. Mary’s Parish in Ayer in 2006 and moved back to his family home in Methuen. He continued to help out with weekend masses at many local parishes, including Holy Rosary Parish in Lawrence, MA. Fr. Gosselin was also very active in the Apostolate of the Sea during his retirement, where he served as a priest on many cruises and made friends all over the world.
He was predeceased by his brother William W. Gosselin, and is survived by his beloved sister, Pauline Dean, and her husband Jack, his sister in law, Alice M. Gosselin, and many nieces and nephews, including Marian Gosselin Korbey, her husband Azar, and their children Samantha and John, Linda Dean Campbell, her husband Donald and their children Marie and Zachary, Paula Gosselin Flynn, her husband Richard, and their children Julie and Stephen, Diana Gosselin Alders and her husband John, Nancy Dean Beaulieu, her husband Alan, and their children Michelle and Nicole, Jacqueline Dean Bolduc, her husband Michael, and their children Jill, Benjamin and Michael, and Michael Dean, his wife Joanie, and their children Madison and Myles. He was a devoted brother and fond uncle.
Calling hours will be Friday, January 10, 2014 from 4 to 8 PM at St. Theresa’s Church at 22 Plymouth Street in Methuen, MA. His funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday, January 11th at 10 AM and will be followed by burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Andover. Those wishing may make memorial contributions in Father’s name to Central Catholic High School, 300 Hampshire St., Lawrence, MA 01841.