Ronald F. Bessette, 74, of Woonsocket died Wednesday morning at Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island in Providence.
Born and raised in Woonsocket he was a son of the late Arthur and Germaine (Martel) Bessette.
Mr. Bessette was educated at St. Louis School and attended Mount Saint Charles Academy.
Mr. Bessette entered the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in late 1950s and took the religious name of Brother Germain. He continued his education and as a brother taught in Massachusetts and Maine for a number of years.
Mr. Bessette was also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Upon returning to lay life Ronald was employed at the Narragansett Knitting company as supervisor and later worked at the Villa at St. Antoine before retiring.
Ronald was an avid movie buff. The classics of the Golden Age of Hollywood were among his favorites. He was expert on many aspects of film and boasted a collection of movies including what is considered the top motion pictures of all times. Ronald had an encyclopedic knowledge of academy award winners and the Oscars was his super bowl.
The most important aspect of Ronald’s life was his Catholic faith (even more important than the movies). He was a longtime communicant of Precious Blood parish. Ronald had a special devotion to St. Andre Bessette (a distant relative) and one of the highlights of Ronald’s life was to be able to attend the canonization ceremony for Frere Andre in Montreal. Ronald and his brother Julien were seated in a special section reserved for relatives of the man who was known as the “Saint of Montreal” and “God’s Doorkeeper”.
Ronald is survived by his brother Julien A. Bessette of Woonsocket and many nieces and nephews and their families.
His funeral will be Wednesday at 9:00 am from the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Precious Blood Church, Carrington Ave. Woonsocket. Burial will follow in St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery, Bellingham. Visiting hours are Tuesday from 3-6 pm.
www.menardfuneralhome.com