Obituary : Reverend Emile C. Dusseault, M.S., was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, son of the late Emile and Roselind (Trembly) Dusseault. After graduating from St. Joseph School in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, he attended the La Salette Seminary High School in Hartford. In July of 1945 he entered the La Salette Novitiate in Bloomfield where he made first profession of vows. He completed junior college studies at La Salette seminaries in Ipswich, Massachusetts and Milford, Iowa, and returned to Ipswich to complete his studies in philosophy and theology.  After ordination Father Dusseault was appointed professor and prefect at La Salette Seminary High School in Hartford and served there for six years before being named assistant pastor of St. James Parish in Danielson where he ministered for eight years. After a brief time as assistant pastor in his home parish, St. Joseph Church in Fitchburg, MA, he returned to St. James Parish in 1969 as its pastor. He served for a time as General Treasurer in Rome before returning to the States in 1980 as pastor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Parish in Golden Meadow, Louisiana. Nine years later he became pastor of the newly created parish of St. Mildred in Swansboro, North Carolina, where he ministered for eleven years. In 2000 he was assigned to the retirement residence established in Titusville, Florida and served as its Director. In 2005 Father was named to the La Salette House in Hartford and resided there until his recent illness. In addition to his La Salette confreres, Father Dusseault is survived by two brothers, Norman of St. Petersburg, Florida and Robert of Leominster, Massachusetts.

Obituary : Reverend Roland G. Vandal, M.S., 88, was born in Southbridge, son of the late Stanislas and Alice (Guilbault) Vandal. He attended schools in Southbridge and entered the La Salette Minor Seminary in Enfield, NH in 1936. After Novitiate he continued his studies for the priesthood at the La Salette Seminary in Attleboro, MA and was ordained a priest on June 11, 1949. Father Vandal studied at St. Paul University, Ottawa, Canada where he received a master's degree in Pastoral Sciences. Over the years Father Vandal taught in various La Salette Seminaries in Enfield, NH; Attleboro, MA; East Brewster, MA; and Bouleyers, Switzerland. He also ministered in Montreal, Canada as assistant pastor of La Salette Parish and as a hospital chaplain. After five years as director for La Salette foreign missions, he was sent to minister in the La Salette Province of Mary Queen where he served as assistant pastor in Golden Meadow, LA before returning to studies at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada. In 1971 Father returned to Louisiana as assistant pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Violet. Three years later he was named assistant pastor at Our Lady of La Salette Parish in Montreal, Canada where he ministered until 1982. Father Vandal served as assistant pastor at St. Mary/St. John parishes in Cambridge-Johnson, VT until 1989 when Father Vandal was renamed to Our Lady of La Salette Parish in Montreal. In 2002 he retired to the La Salette Hartford House. The following year Father became a resident of St. Mary Home in West Hartford. In addition to his La Salette Community he is survived by many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by seven brothers and seven sisters.

Obituary : Reverend Father James D. Caffery, M.S., born in Middletown, CT on April 9, 1933, son of the late James P. and Emilia (Viger) Caffery. He attended local schools in Middletown before entering the La Salette Seminary High School in Hartford in 1947. He completed junior college at La Salette Seminary in Bloomfield and Hartford before entering the novitiate in Bloomfield in 1953. He completed his studies for the priesthood at the La Salette Seminary in Ipswich, MA and was ordained by the Most Reverend Thomas J. Riley, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston. After ordination Father Caffery was named Assistant Director at the La Salette Junior Seminary in Cheshire. In 1965 he was named Director at the La Salette Seminary in Altamont, NY before being named Superior and Director of Scholastics at La Salette Seminary in Ipswich in 1970.  In 1977 he was appointed Assistant Pastor of St. James Parish in Danielson and then Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Ware, MA. After serving for five years at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Parish in Golden Meadow, LA, Father ministered for the next sixteen years in Georgia as Pastor at St. Matthew Church in Fairburn, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Smyrna, and Our Lady of La Salette Parish in Canton. He loved parish life and ministering to the needs of people. In 2006 he retired to Blessed Trinity Parish in Orlando, FL, and resided there until September of 2009 when he was named to residence at the La Salette House in Hartford. In addition to his La Salette confreres, Father Caffery is survived by a brother, William Caffery of Higganum, CT.

Obituary : Reverend Father Clarence was born on May 1, 1923 in Olyphant, Pennsylvania a son of the late Clarence and Mary Fitzgerald Wheeler. He enlisted in the U.S. Army after Pearl Harbor, where he served on Utah Beach and was injured in the Battle of the Bulge. He entered the Missionaries of La Salette – a missionary order founded in France in 1852.  He went into the novitiate in Bloomfield, Connecticut in 1946 and after professioin he went to Ipswich, Mass, to study theology and philosophy.  After the ordination, Father Wheeler returned to Jefferson City to teach at the seminary and serve as a prison chaplain at the Algoa Reformatory. He also served from 1954 – 1964 as an auxiliary chaplain at Fort Leonard Wood. In 1965 he was assigned to St. Peter parish in Houston, Texas and in 1966 he established a new catholic parish in the Houston suburb of Friendswood, Texas.
In 1969, he was appointed chaplain of the old Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City and spiritual director for the nuns at the Discalced Carmelite Monastery. He also visited the old Church Farm and Renz Farm prison sites. He served as secretary and treasurer of the American Correctional Chaplains Association, through which he helped train other prison chaplains from all over the country. Father Wheeler remained the Carmelite chaplain until 2007, offering Mass and spiritual guidance to the nuns, who he counts among his best friends. In 2008, Father Wheeler celebrated sixty years as a member of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette. He is survived by one brother in-law; numerous nieces and nephews, La Salette Fathers and Brothers; the Meyer Family; and a host of friends.

Obituary : Reverend Father Kula, was born on January 20, 1929, in Cloverleaf, Manitoba, Canada, son of the late Stephen and Caroline (Haier) Kula. He attended schools in Canada before entering La Salette Seminary in Olivet, Illinois in 1947. After completing his novitiate and pronouncing his first vows in August of 1948, he began his studies for the priesthood at La Salette in Olivet. In 1950 he was sent to Rome to study Theology. While in Europe, he made perpetual profession of vows as a Missionary of La Salette at La Salette, France, on September 28, 1951. Upon completing his studies, he was ordained to the priesthood on March 14, 1954, in St. Stanislaus Church in Rome. Early assignments took him to Canada for parish ministry in Red Lake and Elma. In 1960 he was appointed Director of the La Salette Minor Seminary in Olivet. In 1966 he was named Superior of the La Salette Shrine Community at Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. While there, he was instrumental in the construction and remodeling of the Shrine Center, served as its Director, and ministered in many capacities. He was also active in ministry at St. Paul Parish in Milwaukee. In 2003 Father Kula became Catholic Chaplain at the State Veteran's Home and Hospital in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, where he also resided. Father Kula was very active in ministry, especially in the hospital section of the facility. He was earnest, dedicated and reliable in all that he did in community and ministry. In addition to his La Salette confreres, Father Kula is survived by a sister, Mrs. Bernice (Kula) Zurawski of Alexandria, Virginia, and was predeceased by two brothers, Edward and Stanley.

Obituary : Rev. Paul A. Roy, M.S., was born on February 27, 1932, in Fitchburg, MA son of the late Albert and Yvonne Nadeau Roy. He attended local schools before entering the La Salette Junior Seminary in Enfield, New Hampshire, in 1945. Following college studies in Enfield, he entered the La Salette Novitiate in East Brewster, MA. He made perpetual profession on September 28, 1956. He pursued theological studies at the Angelicum University in Rome, Italy, where he received his Bachelor and Licentiate degrees prior to his ordination in Rome on October 26, 1958. On returning stateside he taught at the La Salette Seminary in Enfield. He was also Spiritual Director at the Seminary and served on the Province Education Commission. In 1971 he pursued graduate studies for a Ph.D. in English at the University of Ottawa in Canada, and later served as chaplain and instructor at Darcy McGee High School in Hull, Quebec. In January of 1997 he was assigned to the Provincial House in Attleboro to manage the province archives and to assist in the La Salette Missionary Association office. In late 1997 he was asked to take charge of the archives at the La Salette General House in Rome where he was diligent in maintaining the Congregation's important records and documents. In October of 2009 health issues prompted his return to the States, and he was named to Hartford House in Hartford. In addition to his La Salette brothers Father Paul is survived by two sisters-in-law Mrs. Dianne Roy of Paxton, MA, and Mrs. Catalda Roy of Sterling, MA; three nephews Robert Roy, Jr., of Thompson, CT, Mark Roy of Sterling, MA, and Paul Roy, of Middlebury, CT; and a niece Theresa Cleary of Thompson, CT.

Obituary : Reverend Leo B. Cummings, son of the late John L. Cummings and Mary B. (Stratton) Cummings was born on February 3, 1939 in New York City. He completed high school at the La Salette Junior Seminary in Hartford and entered the La Salette Novitiate in Bloomfield.  After his Ordination, Father Leo was first assigned to the La Salette House of Studies in Washington, DC where he served as Treasurer while taking courses in Library Science at Catholic University. The following year he was named Treasurer and Librarian at the La Salette Seminary in Altamont. After appointments as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Hartford, CT and St. James Church in Danielson, CT, Father Leo was called to service within the La Salette Community and over the years held positions of Formation Director, Vocation Director, Superior and Treasurer of the La Salette Residence in Hartford, CT, and Director of Pastoral Planning. In 1993 he returned to parish ministry as Pastor of St. Clement Parish in Calhoun, GA and then as Parochial Vicar at St. Ann Church in Marietta, GA. In recent years, declining health limited Farther Cummings' ministerial activities. Father Leo was a devoted chaplain to Marriage Encounter couples in New England and North Georgia and served on the National Board to Marriage Encounter. In 2004, he was named in residence at St. Thomas the Apostle Rectory in Smyrna, GA. In addition to his La Salette confreres, he is survived by two cousins, Mrs. Virginia Murphy of Somerset, MA and Mr. George Stratton of Greensboro, NC, as well as many friends.

Obituary : Reverend John L. "Mike" Blumm, M.S., 89, died on Friday, January 16, 2009 in West Cal Cam Hospital in Sulphur, Louisiana. Father Blumm was born on September 19, 1919 in Buffalo, New York to Ladislaus Blumm and Angela (Spiewak) Blumm. He grew up in Michigan and completed high school at the La Salette Apostolic School in Hartford, Connecticut in 1939. He entered the Novitiate of the Missionaries of La Salette on July 1, 1939 in Bloomfield, Connecticut and professed First Vows on July 2, 1940. Father Blumm departed from New York on a freighter for Burma (known today as Myanmar) to begin mission efforts in a land decimated by invasion during World War II. He served as a missionary in Burma for 30 years under very difficult and dangerous conditions. He returned to the United States in 1976 and served as pastor or associate pastor of many parishes in Texas and Louisiana. In 2001, he was named Senior Priest in Residence in Sulphur, Louisiana. In 2006, he was assigned to residence at the La Salette South Broadway House in St. Louis, Missouri. He returned in Sulphur August of 2008 and resided at Stonebridge Place for Assisted Living. In addition to the members of his religious community, Father Blumm is survived by a brother, Walter Blumm, and a sister, Victoria Blumm, as well as several nieces, nephews and many friends.

Obituary : Brother Peter P. Staskiewicz, M.S., 88, was born in Newington, on September 17, 1920, son of the late Joseph and Catherine (Jurewicz) Staskiewicz. He attended schools in Newington, and served with distinction in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific and the Philippines for almost four years during World War II. While in New Caledonia he met a Missionary of La Salette, the late Father Henri Durand, M.S. who was a chaplain in the Army. Upon his return to the States he contacted the La Salette Province in Olivet, IL and eventually joined the Community. He entered the La Salette Novitiate in Olivet, on August 4, 1951 and made First Profession of Vows on August 5, 1952. Brother Peter served the La Salette Community at the Novitiate and Seminary in Olivet, and in various Community houses in Milwaukee, WI. He assisted in various capacities but primarily worked as a chef for the La Salette Community and students. For the past 11 years he resided at the La Salette Hartford House in Hartford. In addition to his La Salette confreres, Brother Peter is survived by a brother Leonard Stasky, two sisters Peggy Bechum and Frances Brandt all of Newington; and several nieces and nephews, cousins and close friends.

Obituary :Reverend James P. Hurley, M.S., 90 was born in Hartford, the son of the late James F. and Margaret (Reardon) Hurley. He attended St. Peter School, St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, and Hartford High School. After two years at La Salette College in Hartford, Father Hurley entered the La Salette novitiate in Bloomfield. He studied Philosophy in Altamont, NY and Milford, IA and Theology in Altamont, N.Y. for one year before completing Theology at the newly established La Salette Seminary in Ipswich, MA. Father Hurley was ordained in Hartford by Archbishop Henry J. O'Brien on May 18, 1948. He served as prefect at the La Salette Seminary in Hartford before being named Vocation Director in Jefferson City, MO and Hartford. In 1961 he was appointed Director of Students, Spiritual Director, and Professor at the La Salette College Seminary in Altamont, NY. In 1965 Father Jim was assigned to St. James Parish in Danielson, as Parochial Vicar. After serving there for five years, he was named superior and treasurer of La Salette Seminary in Cheshire. After years on loan to the Diocese of Miami, FL, he served as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of La Salette Parish in Canton, GA. From 1993 until his retirement in 2001 Father Hurley served as Parochial Vicar at St. Ann Church in Marietta, GA. During the last eight years, Father Hurley enjoyed a ministry of presence and prayer while residing at Hartford House with his La Salette confreres. In May of this year he celebrated his 60th Anniversary in the priesthood. In addition to his La Salette Community, Father Hurley is survived by a nephew John Hurley of East Wallingford, VT, a cousin Reverend William McCarthy of Moodus, and numerous cousins from Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Obituary : Brother Robert L. Nichols was born in Southbridge, son of Anna J. (Metras) Nicholas and the late Gerard J. Nichols. He attended Notre Dame Grammar and High schools in Southbridge, graduating in June of 1964. He completed Pre-Novitiate formation for the LaSalette Missionaries at LaSalette Seminary in East Brewster and entered the Novitiate in Center Harbor, N.H. in July 1965, making First Profession on July 2, 1966. His Juniorate program for newly professed brothers was in East Brewster for the first year and at the LaSalette Provincial House in Attleboro for the second year. In the summer of 1968, he was assigned to East Brewster and temporarily to the Novitiate in Center Harbor. In January of 1969 until September 1984, he served at the La Salette Seminary and Shrine in Enfield, N.H. After a year sabbatical, Brother Robert was assigned back to the LaSalette Provincial House in Attleboro where he had been ministering since 1989. Brother Robert was actively involved with the Knights of Columbus, having twice served as grand knight of St. John's Council, No. 404 in Attleboro, and faithful navigator of the Edward Douglas White General Assembly, No. 0398 in Attleboro. In addition to his mother, Brother Robert is survived by five brothers: Arthur, Francis, Richard, George and Paul Nichols; a sister, Clara Kachinski; their spouses, and many nephews, nieces as well as grandnephews and grandnieces.

Obituary :Reverend James P. O'Reilly, M.S., was Born on August 9, 1913 in Youghal, County Cork, Ireland.  He was the son of the late Christopher and Nora Loretta (Coveney) O'Reilly. His mother, after the untimely death of her husband in 1922, moved the family to Tournai, Belgium where Father O'Reilly and his brother, the late Rev. John O'Reilly, M.S., first came to know of La Salette at the Seminary in Tournai. In 1927 Father O'Reilly entered La Salette Apostolic School in Hartford. After completing the novitiate program in Bloomfield and after his first profession, he went to Rome to study Philosophy and Theology and was ordained to the priesthood at St. John Lateran Church in Rome on December 18, 1937.  In 1946 he began his ministry of teaching, a profession to which he devoted many years in La Salette seminaries in Altamont, NY; Milford, IA; Bloomfield, Hartford, Cheshire, CT and Rome, Italy. In 1953 he authored the book "The Story of La Salette" and over the years he used his proficiency in languages to translate many documents and books for the La Salette Community. In 1967 he was appointed to assist the Superior General in Rome with Chapter preparations. He returned to the States the following year.   In addition to his La Salette Community Father O'Reilly is survived by many nieces and nephews.