Msgr. Joseph L. Goudreau

The Rev. Monsignor Joseph L. Goudreau, retired U.S. Army Chaplain and Lt. Colonel, passed away October 15, 2018 at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, VA. Joseph Leo Goudreau was born January 8, 1936 in Rumford, Maine, the youngest child of George and Marion (Roy) Goudreau. He was predeceased by his parents; by his brothers Omer Goudreau, the Rev. George Goudreau and Maurice Goudreau; and by his sisters Gabrielle Goudreau, Jeanne Tozier and Pauline Goudreau. Surviving are his sister Claire Goudreau, of Rumford; sister Priscilla Dupill and husband, Henry, of Rumford; brother Robert Goudreau and wife, Elizabeth, of Woburn, MA; brother the Rev. Paul Goudreau, of Hudson, FL; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He attended Assumption Prep School and Assumption College in Worcester, MA, followed by St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, MD. The Most Reverend Daniel J. Feeney, the Eighth Bishop of Portland, ordained him to the priesthood on May 25, 1963 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine. Father Goudreau proceeded to serve in his home state over the next 23 years, including at parishes in Winslow, Rockland and North Windham, MA. While in Maine, he also served as a chaplain to the Knights of Columbus (Waterville), Diocesan Chaplain to the Boy Scouts of America, and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Clergy Benefit Plan. Father went on active duty in the U.S. Army in 1986 and served as a military chaplain in the United States Army. He was posted in Georgia, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Virginia. In 1999, Father Goudreau was named a Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) by (Saint) Pope John Paul II. Father Goudreau retired from military service in 2007 and continued to reside in Arlington, VA. The family is grateful to all his friends who loved him and took good care of him and his beloved German Shepherd, Jody. Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 28 at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA, and a Memorial Service will commence there at 3:00 PM. Inurnment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in 2019 on a date yet to be determined. Donations in Msgr. Goudreau’s name can be made to the Dementia Society of America (see link below). Online condolences and memories may be made at www.murphyfuneralhomes.com