Rev. Arthur A. Lemrise, CSV, died Sunday morning, the 2nd of December 2001, at the age of 87. Fr. Lemrise was born in Providence, Rhode Island on October 12, 1914. He was the son of the late Albert and Blanche Lemrise, and the brother of Ernest (deceased), Hubert (deceased), his twin brother Aime, Marcel, Albert (deceased), Aubert, Rev. John Lemrise, CMF, Paul, Mrs. Aline Goyette (deceased), Mrs. Cecile Seymour, Mrs. Blanche Colton, and Mrs. Therese Plenner. Fr. Lemrise is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces, and grand nephews and grand nieces.
Fr. Lemrise made his first profession as a Viatorian in 1938, his final vows in 1941 and was ordained a priest by Bishop Bernard Sheil in 1944. Fr. Lemrise studied at St. Viator College in Bourbonnais, and graduated from St. Ambrose College in Davenport Iowa with a degree in French. Fr. Lemrise also completed his graduate studies at Illinois State, Normal, Illinois in 1945. Fr. Lemrise served at Bishop Sheil’s CYO Hotel for parolees in Chicago, St. Philip High School in Chicago, St. Ambrose Academy in Davenport, Iowa, St. Patrick High School in Kankakee, Illinois, St. Joseph School for the Deaf, in New York, Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York, Maternity B.V.M. Church in Bourbonnais, Illinois, St. Joseph Church in Springfield, Illinois, St. Rose of Lima Church in Kankakee, Illinois and Good Shepherd Manor, in Momence, Illinois before retiring to the Province Center in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Fr. Lemrise also served as a missionary, teacher and Auxiliary Chaplain to the Armed Forces in Kyoto Japan from 1949-1964.
Visitation took place at Maternity B.V.M. Parish from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday the 4th of December 2001 and on Wednesday the 5th of December 2001 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. The Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at Maternity B.V.M. at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 5, 2001. Fr. Lemrise was buried at the Viatorian Community plot at Maternity B.V.M. Cemetery in Bourbonnais.
Please remember Art in your Masses and your prayers.
Taken from letter to the Viatorian Community, December 3, 2001, from the Provincial, Rev. Charles G. Bolser, CSV