Worcester – Rev. Theodore R. Laperle, 100, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 with family by his side in Notre Dame Long Term Care and Rehabilitation Center after a long illness.
Father Laperle was born in Worcester on August 12, 1924, the son of Hector F. and Mary A. (Hedge) Laperle. He attended Holy Name of Jesus Elementary School and South High School in Worcester. He entered the Sacred Heart Seminary in 1942 in St. Victor, Quebec, Canada and then continued his seminary studies of Philosophy and Theology at the Seminary of St. Sulpice in Montreal, Quebec, Canada graduating in 1954.
Father Laperle was ordained a priest on June 5, 1954 by then Bishop John J. Wright in the Cathedral of Saint Paul, Worcester. Throughout his 70 years as a priest for the Diocese of Worcester, he served as an associate pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Winchendon; Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Webster; Assumption Parish, Millbury; Holy Rosary Parish, Gardner and St. Francis Parish, Fitchburg. Father Laperle served as pastor of St. Denis Parish, Ashburnham and Notre Dame des Canadiens Parish, Worcester.
Father Laperle retired on November 25, 1985, however, he continued to serve the Diocese of Worcester. He provided pastoral ministry at Saint Bernard Parish, Fitchburg until it’s closing in 2010 and then at the age of 86 he began assisting St. Joseph Parish, Fitchburg where he resided for many years until his health no longer allowed.
Upon his retirement, Father Laperle was still very active in his priestly ministry. He was invited by the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary to provide them with daily mass at Our Lady of Hope House of Prayer in Ipswich, NH. He continued this ministry for 36 years only stopping when his health no longer allowed him to travel and assist the Sisters. He also covered for countless priests in the Diocese of Worcester and the Diocese of Manchester, NH allowing them to take vacations. Father Laperle said Mass every Sunday for the prisoners of the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, MA and also traveled on a monthly basis until the age of 90 to Brighton Gardens, an assisted living facility in the Boston Archdiocese to celebrate mass.
In the Year of the Priest, Father Laperle was featured as the Circuit Rider of the Region. In the Diocese of Springfield, he replaced pastors in Turners Falls, Greenfield, Northampton and Longmeadow. In the Diocese of Manchester, he did ministry in Keene, Troy, Londonderry, Marlborough, Suncook and Salem. In the Diocese of Portland, he replaced pastors in Lewiston, Sabattus and Biddeford.
Father Laperle was called at a young age and tirelessly devoted his life to his parishioners and the Diocese of Worcester. In his little spare time, Father Laperle could often be found jogging. In 1978 he logged 2,065 miles, running 6 miles daily and received the Presidential Sport’s Award from then President Jimmy Carter.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff and volunteers of Notre Dame Healthcare for the care and support that was given to Fr. Ted during his illness.
He is survived by a sister, Claire Halvey of Worcester; a brother, Paul Laperle and his wife, Kathleen of Spencer and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. Also, his dedicated and caring friends, Carol McDonough and Marline Crooks of Fitchburg and Domenic Zarella of Leominster. He was predeceased by three brothers, Brother Louis F. Laperle of the Sacred Heart Brothers, Armand E. Laperle and Raymond G. Laperle.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 25 from 5 to 7 PM in Our Lady of the Angels Church 1222 Main St. Worcester with a vigil service to be held at 7PM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Most. Rev. Robert J. McManus on Wednesday, March 26 at 11 AM in Our Lady of the Angels Church 1222 Main St. Worcester. Burial will immediately follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester.
Memorial contributions in memory of Father Laperle may be made to the Retirement Fund for Religious. Donations can be mailed to the Diocese of Worcester 49 Elm Street Worcester, MA 01609 (Please note Retirement Fund in memo).
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home 12 Hammond St. Worcester. To share a memory or to sign the guestbook for Fr. Laperle, please visit www.Royfuneral.com
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Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home
12 Hammond St.
Worcester, MA 01610 508-799-2992
