Rev. Samuel Diotte
The death of Rev. Samuel John Diotte, a retired priest of the Diocese of Saint John, occurred in the Miramichi Regional Hospital on Tuesday, December 21, at the age of eighty-nine. Father Diotte was born in Newcastle, NB, on October 12, 1932, a son of James and Florence (McKay) Diotte. After studying in local schools, he spent five years in the Royal Canadian Navy serving on the HMCS Quebec and the HMCS Magnificent and then became a teaching brother with the Brothers of Charity for twelve years in Sherbrooke, QC. Eventually discerning a vocation to the priesthood, he began studies for the Diocese of Saint John in Holy Heart Seminary, Halifax, NS, completing them in St. Peter’s Seminary, London, ON. He was ordained a priest by the Most Reverend Joseph Neil McNeill, D.D., Bishop of Saint John, on June 19, 1971 in St. Mary’s Church, Newcastle. After ordination he served as associate pastor for six years in Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Saint John, with special concern for the Francophone population of the city, and for three years in St. Dunstan’s Parish, Fredericton. While at St. Dunstan’s, he began serving the Francophone population of Fredericton and in 1981 was named founding pastor of Paroisse Sainte-Anne-des-Pays-Bas, Fredericton. Father Sam served this parish until 1986 when he was named pastor of St. Bridget’s Parish, Renous. In 1989 he was transferred to Holy Rosary Parish, Minto, and St. Joseph’s Parish, Chipman, where he served until 1994. From 1994 until 1999 he was pastor of Paroisse Saint-Francois-de-Sales, Saint John. From there he went to St. Gertrude’s Parish, Woodstock, until 2003. At that time, he was named pastor of his home parish, St. Mary’s, Miramichi, and administrator of neighbouring St. Samuel’s Parish, where he served until 2006. From 2006 until his retirement in 2008, he was pastor of St. Samuel’s Parish. At various times he also served with the Legion of Mary, the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Women’s League, the UNBSJ Chaplaincy, and on several diocesan committees and councils.
Father Sam was always kind and supportive of people; his easy manner and kindness with those of both French and English backgrounds, of all ages and all walks of life made him popular in every parish he served in each of the three regions of the diocese.
Father Sam is survived by his sister Mary Palmer (late Don) of Winnipeg, MB, and by his brothers Vincent (late Florence) and Patrick (Gladys), both of Miramichi, as well as by his sister-in-law Muriel Sherrard. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother John.
In light of the current pandemic, there will be no visitation by request of the family.
Father Sam’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Church, Miramichi, on Thursday, December 30, at 11:00 am with Father Godwin Kalu, SMMM, Pastor, presiding and Father David Martin preaching. Father Leon Creamer will preside over the Final Commendation. Interment will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery in the Spring.
Please Note: Covid-19 Protocols will be followed at the Funeral Mass. Masks, Social Distancing, Hand Sanitizing and proof of Vaccination and Identification are mandatory.
Arrangements are in care of Davidson’s Funeral Home (622-7464) or online at www.davidsonsfh.com Your Family owned – Family Operated Funeral Home.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Reverend Samuel James Diotte 2021..
Davidson’s Funeral Service Ltd
Death notice for the town of: Miramichi, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick