Father Clarence Ervin Watrin CSB, died peacefully in Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto on Wednesday morning, March 27 after several weeks of failing health. He was 91 years of age; he had been a Basilian for 71 years and had served in priestly ministry for 64 years. Clarence was born in High River, Alberta. His parents were Clarence Watrin and Nina Hauck. He had one brother, Michael Watrin and one sister, Dorothy Didow. He attended High River elementary school and St. Mary’s Boys’ High School in Calgary. He entered St. Basil’s Novitiate, Richmond Hill in 1951 and took his first vows on August 15, 1952. He received a BA in Philosophy from the University of Toronto in 1953, a STB in Theology from the University of St. Michael’s College in 1959 and a MA in Counseling and Psychology from the University of Detroit in 1969. He was ordained on June 28, 1959. Fr. Clair was in great demand as a speaker and rarely turned down invitations to give public witness of the Lord’s actions in his own life and in the life of those who heard him. Clair was the founder of the Live-In retreat movement and inspired the establishment of CCO (Catholic Christian Outreach), a Canadian university student movement at the University of Saskatchewan, which has since spread to university and college campuses across Canada. He ministered in Canada, the United States, Mexico and St. Lucia. As his health diminished, he continued to proclaim the Good News to residents and staff of Presentation Manor and made the Eucharist and daily devotions the centre of his life and ministry. The Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated at 10:30 am on Friday, April 5, 2024 in the chapel of Presentation Manor for Seniors, 61 Fairfax Crescent, Scarborough, ON. Visitation one hour before the Funeral Mass. Burial will be at the Basilian plot at Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill, ON. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Basilian Fathers Retirement Fund, 360 Davenport Road, Toronto, ON M5R 1K6. To place online condolences, please visit: www.pauloconnorfunerals.ca
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