Rev. Richard A. Nadeau

PORTLAND - The Rev. Richard A. Nadeau, 77, died Tuesday September 3, 2013 at Gosnell Hospice House in Scarborough with his family present. He was born in Madison, Maine on April 29, 1936, the son of Leo A. and Emaline (Richards) Nadeau. He attended Skowhegan schools and was graduated from high school in the class of 1955. He attended the University of Maine in Orono and received a B.S. in Education in the class of 1959. Later, he received a Master's Degree in School Administration from the University of Southern Maine. Over several years, he taught at public schools at Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Van Buren and Dixfield, Maine. In the late sixties, he was Education Specialist at the Portsmouth Naval Prison in Kittery, Maine. While teaching he worked several summers as an Immigration Inspector at Jackman and Van Buren, Maine. In 1976, at the age of 40, he entered Blessed John the XXIII Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts to study for the Roman Catholic Priesthood. Upon receiving a Masters of Divinity Degree, he was ordained to the priesthood on May 17, 1980, by the Most Rev. Edward C. O'Leary at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland. Father Nadeau was first assigned to St. John and St. Athanasius Parish in Rumford, and in 1984 as Chaplin at St. Joseph College in Standish. In 1987, he was appointed Pastor of St. Ann Parish in Bradley, Maine where he served until 1997. He was then appointed Pastor of St. Matthew Parish in Limerick, Maine until he retired from parish administration July 1, 2006. Father was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He lived in Portland after retirement and continued to assist in area parishes as long as his health permitted. He was a very special person in many peoples lives. He will be greatly missed by his fellow priests, family and friends. He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Leo A. Nadeau, Jr. of Fort Kent and a sister, Barbara LaCasse of Skowhegan. He is survived by nieces, Michelle (Nadeau) Schaff and her husband Lenard of Middletown, NY, Janice (LaCasse) Messer of Skowhegan; nephews, Steve Nadeau and his wife Kara of Boise, Idaho, Leo Nadeau of Salisbury, CT, and Wayne LaCasse and his wife Dee of Tyler, TX; two grand nephews; one grandniece and several great grandnieces and one great grandnephew. A special thanks to Hospice of Southern Maine for their incredible care; the staff and residence of Deering Pavillion, and his Emmaus Brothers who were of great support to him and his ministry during the past many years. Friends are invited to attend a Reception of the Body and Liturgy of the Hours that will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday September 6, 2013 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception 307 Congress Street, Portland. Very Rev. Louis Philips, Rector of the Cathedral will preside. Very Rev. John Skehan will serve as the evening homilist. Father Nadeau will lie in state from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. on Saturday at the Cathedral. A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the Cathedral. Most Rev. Bishop Joseph Gerry, O.S.B. will be the Principal Celebrant. Very Rev. Louis Philips will serve as the homilist. Burial will be at Saint Sebastian Cemetery in Madison, ME. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Father Richard Nadeau Scholarship Fund, Catholic Foundation of Maine, PO Box 11559, Portland, Maine 04104-7559. Arrangements are under the care of Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland.Online condolences may be expressed below.