Condolences

Condolences to the Family of Fr. Vincent H. Poirier

2020

Fr. Poitier taught Great Books at Ashland High School and we the class of 1963 dedicated our year to him. He is person that brought me back to God. May God hold him in his arms he was a special person.

Sandra Merusi
2020

Fr. Vin was my cherished colleague at Wellesley College from 1994-2000. His heart was full of love for everyone - especially his parents and sister, Annette. He envisioned a church that was big enough to include everyone and he did not hesitate to let church leadership know when they were falling short of Christ's mandate to love. I enjoyed hearing his many stories of Poirierville, Nova Scotia, where he spent precious time with his family. He was a priest ahead of his time - making way for me as a colleague to preach at Mass. We were far enough away from the Archbishop's eye to get away with it! More than that, Fr. Vin was a dear, kind, caring, and generous friend. I will always remember the many meals I shared with him: Dinners at Vinny Testa's and Bertucci's with students and years later, lunches at Burton's on the South Shore. May Fr. Vin soar with the angels. I will love him always.

Rev. Sue Koehler-Arsenault
2020

It is with a heavy heart, but one full of love, that I share this sad news here. Fr. Vin was one of my all time favorite people ever. His heart was even larger than his smile. His Homilies still inspire me. Fr. Vin celebrated my dad’s funeral Mass in 1986. While he was here at St. Mary Parish, we became great friends having dinner out each Wednesday (always eating our salads after our entrees). Fr. Vin is the one and only reason I stuck with the church. He taught me that God is love and that God loves everybody, including gay people. Those wise and true words were not often publicly said by Catholic priests back in the 1980s. Fr. Vin encouraged and supported my working with people with AIDS in the height of that pandemic. We lost touch when he moved to Canada. When my mom died, it was Father Vin who welcomed me at the doors of the St. Mary Church with a great big bear hug. He surprised my family and concelebrated my mom’s funeral Mass. The world has lost a wonderful, loving and caring human being. My heart is sad but I’m so happy that I knew Fr. Vin and called him my friend.

John Ristaino
2020

Father Poirier was the priest at my home parish (St. Mary's in Franklin, Ma) growing up; he was the officiating priest at my sister's baptism. Later on, when I was at Framingham State, he was the Catholic priest at our school. When he would officiate the Sunday mass there, I was almost always there serving as the eucharistic minster for him. He was a very dear, sweet man, and meant a lot to my family, as well as many others. He was very loved and will be very dearly missed. Prayers to his family, friends and colleagues at this time. Rest in peace, and thank you for everything, Father Poirier. God bless you.

Amy Padden
2020

He was just Vin when he hired me in 1980 in the town of Harvard. Such a sweet man, so cultured and kind. I regret that he was there for such a short time after I was hired but he left a lasting impression. My condolences to his family.

Carole Donlon-McAuliffe
2020

I alway enjoyed Father Vin's sermons. He was such a kind person.

Lawrence Keough
2020

Our deepest condolences to you and the POIRIER families. Fr Vincent will be missed. Cousin Vincent will always be in our thoughts and prayers Ray and Patty Poirier

Ray Poirier
2020

I have missed him and his smile.

Dcn John Boyle
2020

I was so sad to hear of Fr. Vinnie's passing!! I knew him first from Corpus Christi in Newton and later discovered he was going to be a familiar face when I went to Framingham State College. Father Vinnie was so special and passionate and one of my all time favorite homilists!! He will be greatly missed, but I hope he is at peace now with our Father in heaven!!!

Kristy Uttaro