Vernon Decoteau
BELCHERTOWN, Mass. (WWLP) – A well-known local priest who had befriended a former U.S. president has passed away.
Father Vernon Decoteau, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Belchertown, died Wednesday night. Decoteau was 68 years old, and had been recovering from bypass surgery.
The Diocese of Springfield’s official news website, iObserve, reports that there has been a great outpouring of grief and messages of support after Bishop Mitchell Rozanski made the announcement Thursday morning.
A native of Berkshire County, Decoteau was born in Pittsfield and graduated from St. Joseph Central High School. He was ordained a priest in 1975, and had served in parishes in Westfield, Northampton, and Belchertown, in addition to holding various offices within the Diocese, including serving as Episcopal Vicar of the Hampden East Vicariate. He also had taught at Cathedral High School, and served as a chaplain at Westfield State College (now University).
Having a great passion for music, Decoteau produced several CDs and sang at charity events as part of the diocese’s “Singing Priests.” It was while singing at a restaurant in Maine that he met former President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush. The Bush family later made donations to the building of the new St. Francis Church in Belchertown.
Funeral arrangements for Fr. Decoteau are still being finalized at this time. Bishop Mitchell Rozanski traveled to St. Francis to celebrate daily Mass there Thursday and talk with parishioners.
