Father Gerald A. Dorais

Father Gerald A. Dorais, 83, was peacefully born into eternal life on Friday, September 23, 2011 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, on the Memorial of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, and the eve of his fifty-sixth anniversary of ordination to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. He was in the company of a brother priest, family and friends.
Fr. Dorais was born in Central Falls, RI on February 9, 1928, the son of the late Armand and Jeannette (LeClerc) Dorais.
He graduated from Eymard Seminary in Suffern, NY in 1948, and completed his Novitiate in Barre, MA in 1950. From 1950 to 1956 he studied Philosophy and Theology at the Blessed Sacrament Seminary in Cleveland Ohio. Fr. Dorais was ordained into the Priesthood on September 24, 1955 at Eymard Seminary in Hyde Park, New York. During his first two years of Priesthood he acquired a licentiate in Philosophy from the Angelicum in Rome in 1958, and later served as a Professor of Philosophy at the Blessed Sacrament Seminary in Cleveland, Ohio from 1958 through 1963. From 1963 through 1968 he served as Novice Master at Blessed Sacrament Novitiate in Barre, MA. Fr. Dorais was incardinated into the Diocese of Worcester by Bishop Flanagan on December 22, 1971.
His first assignment was at St. Margaret Mary's Church in Worcester from 1968-1969, followed by an assignment at St. Theresa's Church in Blackstone. In 1976, Fr. Dorais was named Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Gardner, and in 1984 was appointed Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fitchburg, until 2007. His most recent assignments were as Senior Priest at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, both in Gardner.
Throughout his life on earth he possessed and demonstrated a monumental love for the Most Holy Eucharist and Blessed Mother Mary.
He leaves one niece, Mary-Ann Golombiewski; three nephews, Michael, Edward and John Trainor; and several cousins. Fr. Dorais was predeceased by his sister, Claire Trainor, and by two nephews, Gerald and Donald Trainor.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, September 29th at 11:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 166 Cross Street, Gardner, MA. Principal celebrant will be Bishop Most Reverend Robert J. McManus of the Diocese of Worcester. Burial will be on Friday, September 30th at 11:00 a.m. in Notre Dame Cemetery, 359 Daggett Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.
Calling hours will be held Wednesday, September 28th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 166 Cross Street, Gardner. A wake service officiated by Retired Auxiliary Bishop/Vicar General Most Reverend George E. Rueger will immediately follow.
Memorial contributions may be made to either Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, St. Vincent de Paul Society, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA 01440 or to Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Vincent de Paul Society, 166 Cross Street, Gardner, MA 01440.
Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner is handling the arrangements.

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