Rev. Robert L. Rivard, FMSI, 89, died Saturday, May 25, 2024, a native of Bristol, CT and a priest of the Sons of Mary Missionary Society.
Fr. Bob was raised in Bristol, CT, and served his country proudly in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He entered his religious life in 1965 as a Brother in the Sons of Mary. He took his First Vows on January 18, 1967, and his Perpetual Vows on February 11, 1973. He was a graduate of Holy Apostles College in Cromwell, CT with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and earned his Master of Divinity from Pope John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, MA in June of 1977.
After his ordination, Fr. Bob was assigned to mission in Perú, and throughout his priesthood was also missioned in Honduras, and the Philippines. For the last 30 years, he has been in residence at St. Jude Parish, in Norfolk, MA.
Fr. Bob is predeceased by his parents, Albani J. & Yvonne B. (Dumaine) Rivard, and his siblings, George, Charles, Ferdinand, and Norman Rivard, and Delores Charpentier. He is survived by many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will honor and remember Fr. Bob’s life as he lies in repose in St. Jude Church, 86 Main St. Norfolk on Monday, June 3rd from 4-8PM. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday morning June 4th in St. Jude Church at 10:30AM. Interment will follow in the Sons of Mary lot in St. Stephen Cemetery, Framingham.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Fr. Bob’s name may be made to: St. Jude Parish, 86 Main St. Norfolk, MA 02056, or to the Sons of Mary Missionary Society, 567 Salem End Road, Framingham, MA 01702.
Arrangements by the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home of Framingham. For messages of condolence, kindly visit www.mcccarthyfh.com.
Chesmore Funeral Home