Alfred H. Valiquette, O.S.A.

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1864 – 1949 (April 14)

Alfred Henry Valiquette, son of Joachim Valiquette and Adeline Rossignol, was born in Ottawa, Canada, on June 9, 1864. He began his novitiate at Villanova, Pennsylvania, the first Canadian to enter the Province, on September 18, 1885, and made his simple profession of September 19, 1886. He was solemnly professed on the same day in 1889, and was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Patrick Ryan in Philadelphia, on March 15, 1890.

Father Valiquette was assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish, Hoosick Falls, in July, 1890. He was transferred Saint Mary’s in Lawrence, MA in August, 1891, where, the following February he became gravely ill with pneumonia, typhoid, and kidney failure. Though physicians informed the Province that there was no hope for him, he rallied and was able, in time, to return to St. Mary’s. In January, 1900, he was assigned to Havana, Cuba, but during travel was quarantined and had to return to Lawrence. In October, 1901, he was assigned to Saint Mary’s Church in Waterford, NY, and was appointed rector there the following year. During his term of office, a new church and friary were built.

From 1914 to 1918, Father Valiquette was a Definitor of the Province, after which he became prior and pastor of Saint Paul’s in Mechanicville, NY. In 1922, he was appointed prior and pastor of Saint Vincent’s, our first parish foundation in San Diego, CA. From 1926 to 1938, he was prior and pastor of Saint James’ in Carthage, and later of the Immaculate Conception in Hoosick Falls, NY. He again became prior and pastor at Saint James in 1938.

Father Valiquette was 77 when he retired to the monastery at Villanova in 1941. Eight years later, on April 14, 1949, he died there at the age of 85. He is buried in the Community Cemetery at Villanova.