Rev. Msgr. Daniel Oscar Lamothe

Rev. Msgr. Daniel O. Lamothe 87, of Swanzey, NH, was called to his rest and to the glory of the Resurrection promised by the Lord, on Sunday, March 17, 2024, the memorial of St. Patrick, at his home in Swanzey with family by his side, following a brief illness.

He was born in Keene, NH on April 27, 1936, the son of Oscar and Alice (Halpin) Lamothe.

He was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest on May 26, 1962 by the Most Reverend Ernest J. Primeau, S.T.D., at Saint Bernard Church in Keene.

Father Lamothe studied at Saint Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield, CT, and after studying at the American College, Louvain, Belgium he completed his ecclesiastical studies at the University Seminary in Ottawa, ON, Canada.

Monsignor Lamothe served as associate pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Pittsfield; Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Hudson; Saint Kieran Parish, Berlin; Mary, Queen of Peace Parish, Salem; and Blessed Sacrament Parish in Manchester where he also served as temporary administrator of the parish.

Monsignor Lamothe served as pastor of Saint Denis Parish, Hanover in 1975; Saint Paul Parish in Franklin for five years; in 1984 at Saint Joseph Parish, Dover for 14 years; administrator of St. Charles Parish, Dover, St. Catherine Parish, Portsmouth, Holy Trinity Parish, Somersworth: St. Mary Parish, Rollinsford and in 1998 at St. Joseph Parish, Salem, also saying Mass in Korean for the Korean community who gathered there; and also doing Hispanic ministry for the seacoast area

In June 2003, Bishop John McCormack appointed Monsignor Lamothe pastor of St. Bernard Parish, his home parish, in Keene. As part of the pastoral planning for the area, in July 2005, he was appointed parish administrator of St. Margaret Mary Church, Keene, Our Lady of the Lake, Chesterfield, St. Joseph Parish, Hinsdale and St. Stanislaus Parish, Winchester.

In May 2006, Bishop McCormack appointed Monsignor Lamothe pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish, Keene in addition to his assignment at St. Bernard Parish. In June 2006, he was appointed pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Troy.

In September 2010, Bishop McCormack appointed Monsignor Lamothe pastor of Parish of the Holy Spirit, Keene, a new name resulting from the merger of the Keene parishes.

Monsignor Lamothe held a number of diocesan positions. He served as Dean of the Dover Deanery; Dean of the Salem Deanery; Dean of the Monadnock Deanery, each for several terms. He served as Diocesan Bicentennial Coordinator to the Office of Community Affairs; Secretary to the Senate of Priests; Diocesan Consultor; a member of the Diocesan Vocation Board. Monsignor Lamothe also participated in the New Pastors’ Program at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA. He served as Diocesan Representative on the Advisory Committee of the NH Chapter of American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

On February 14, 2013, he was named Prelate of Honor to his Holiness with the title of Monsignor by Pope Benedict XVI.

He is survived by two sons whom he adopted during the war in El Salvador, Mario Zavaleta of Bradenton, FL and Jorge Zavaleta and his family from Ft. Lauderdale. FL; his nieces, Reinette Reilly and her husband, Brian, of Keene, Denise Hetrick of Panama City, FL, and Ardis Martello who resided in Swanzey with Monsignor Lamothe after retirement.

He was predeceased by three sisters, Ardis Abraham, Margaret Legere, and Marlene Bently; a brother, David Lamothe; and brothers-in-law, Raymond Legere, Olin Bently and Robert Abraham.

On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, the Rite of Reception of the Body will take place at 5:00PM in St. Bernard Church, 185 Main Street, Keene, with visitation continuing at the church until evening prayer service is offered at 7:00pm. Msgr. Lamothe will continue to lie in repose in the church until 8:00PM.

On Wednesday, April 3rd, Msgr. Lamothe will lie in repose at St. Bernard Church from 9:30am until 11:00am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial with the Most Reverend Peter Anthony Libasci, Bishop of Manchester, presiding. The Rite of Committal will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery, Main Street, Keene, following the mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Monsignor Lamothe Scholarship Fund, c/o St. Joseph Regional School, 92 Wilson Street, Keene, NH 03431.

Msgr. Dan was a man of great giving and with a caring heart. He was huge supporter of the food panty at the church, and could be seen weekly with his satchel of canned goods to drop off into the collection box. This weekly donation ritual became fondly known as “Dan’s Cans”. In his honor, please bring a canned good or two, to drop off in the collection box that will be provided inside of the church for those attending his visitation and funeral mass.