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Archives Rites held for Father Norman E. Poupore, 90

Dec. 3, 2014

Watertown - A Mass of Christian for Father Norman E. Poupore, 90, was held Nov. 28 at St. Patrick’s Church in Watertown.

He died on Nov. 24 at his home in Pierrepont Manor; burial was in the priests’ plot at Glenwood Cemetery .
Bishop Terry R. LaValley presided at the funeral with the priests of the diocese concelebrating. Father Douglas Decker, pastor of St. Alphonsus/Holy Name parish in Tupper Lake, served as homilist.

Father Poupore was born in Churubusco, Nov. 2, 1923, the son of the late Eugene and Martha Denault Poupore.  He attended St. Joseph’s Ursuline Academy in Malone, and studied for the priesthood at Wadhams Hall Seminary in Ogdensburg and at St. Augustine Seminary in Toronto, Ontario.

He was ordained March 4, 1950 at St. Mary’s Church, Canton by Bishop Bryan J. McEntegart.

Father Poupore’s first assignment was as assistant pastor at St. Patrick’s, Port Henry, followed by an assignment as assistant at St. Alexander’s, Morrisonville.

Later he was appointed pastor of Church of the Assumption, Redford; St. Cecilia’s, Adams; St. James, Gouverneur; and St. Helens, Chasm Falls.

Father Poupore took a health leave in 1986 and retired in December, 1998.  During his retirement and most recently with his declining health and illness, Teresa Boldman served as his caregiver.

Father Poupore is survived by his sister, Madonna Towle of Malone, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his four brothers, Hubert, Bernard, Wallace and Lester. 

A reflection on the life and ministry of Father Poupore appears below.

 

Editor's Notes
Rest in peace, Father (Uncle) Norm

By Mary Lou Kilian
Editor/General Manager

A couple days before Thanksgiving, we learned of the death of man who had given 64 years of his life in service as a priest of our diocese, serving in parishes from  Port Henry to Adams.

Father Norman Poupore died Nov. 24 at his home in Pierrepont Manor; he was remembered with great affection at his funeral Mass Nov. 28 at St. Patrick’s Church in Watertown.

Father Douglas Decker, now pastor in Tupper Lake, shared memories of his friend in his homily.

It follows:
We gather this morning at St. Patrick’s Church to bid farewell to Father Norman Poupore. 

Father Norm was a life long servant to God’s people here in the Diocese of Ogdensburg.  I extend our sympathy and prayers to the Poupore family at this sad time.

God’s Word gives us a sense of peace and comfort at a time like this.  We read from the Book of Isaiah... Is. 25... On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all the peoples.  The Lord will destroy death.  The Lord will wipe away the tears.  Let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us.

In the lesson for the Church of Corinth St Paul reminds us that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead.

Through Baptism we share in the death of Jesus and we share in the resurrection of Jesus.  Jesus will destroy death and give us eternal life with him in glory.

St Matthew gives is, in chapter 5, one of his beautiful teachings.  The Sermon on the Mount begins with the Beatitudes:  Blessed are the Poor in Spirit, Blessed are they who mourn, Blessed are the meek,Blessed are the merciful, Blessed are the clean of heart, Blessed are the peacemakers. 

These Beatitudes speak of the lowly of God.  The lowly trust God in all things and they live with their faith in God.  This Gospel really speaks of the spirituality  of Father Norm

Over the years since about 1975 my class has become friends of Father Norm. In fact we call him Uncle Norm. 
He had invited us to St James parish in Gouverneur to help our while we were in the seminary.  Some would lector, some would preach, some would take care of the music.

He would fix us supper and share with us words of wisdom.  He would tell us hunting stories and tell us about his different parishes.

He retired early due to health but still helped in local parishes.  People would come to his cabin for confession, from  Henderson, Watertown and Syracuse.

We will miss our favorite Uncle.  Many thanks for the prayers and support.

Eternal rest grant onto him Lord.  Let perpetual light shine on him. May he rest in peace.  Amen.  May his soul and the soul of the faithful departed rest in peace.

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