Rev. Msgr. Roland E. Tancrede, 90, of Manchester, died February 8, 2014 at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston after a brief illness.
He was born in Manchester on May 11, 1923 to Donat and Ida (Laverdiere) Tancrede.
He was educated in Manchester Catholic schools then pursued theological studies in Canada at The Seminary of Quebec and the University of Ottawa. He was ordained to the priesthood in May of 1947 by the Most Rev. Matthew F. Brady, D.D., fifth bishop of Manchester.
Msgr. Tancrede served as chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital, Nashua. He then served as associate pastor at Infant Jesus Parish, Nashua; Holy Rosary Parish, Rochester; St. George Parish, Manchester; Our Lady of Fatima Parish, New London and St. Mary Parish, Newmarket. He was appointed pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Woodsville by the Most Rev. Ernest J. Primeau, D.D., S.T.D. in 1966. He later served as pastor at St. Augustin Parish, Manchester from 1971 until his retirement in 1990.
In retirement, Msgr. Tancrede was Director for Retired Priests and served in part-time ministry at St. Pius X Parish, Manchester. He was also Spiritual Director with the Rochester Unit of the NH Council of Catholic Nurses and was Judge of the Diocesan Matrimonial Tribunal. He received the Prelate of Honor in 1986.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Alfred, Armand, Jean-Marie, Lionel and Raymond.
The family includes three siblings, Roger Tancrede, who was his close companion, of Manchester, Lorraine Lemay and her husband, William, of Rochester and Herve Tancrede and his wife, Jeanne, of Manchester; two sisters in law, Doris Tancrede of Manchester and Paulette Tancrede of Bedford; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the Parish of the Transfiguration, corner of Kelley and Youville streets, Manchester. The Most Rev. Peter A. Libasci, Bishop of Manchester officiated. Committal prayers followed at Mt. Calvary Mausoleum, 474 Goffstown Rd., Manchester.
Memorial donations may be made to The Bishop Peterson Residence, 221 Orange St., Manchester, NH 03104.
Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, Manchester assisted the family with arrangements.