Reverend Gilbert B. Menard

Reverend Gilbert B. Menard

A Mass of Christian Burial for Father Gilbert B. Menard will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday August 14, 2025, at St. Ann’s Church in Mooers Forks. Bishop Terry R. LaValley will serve as the celebrant and will offer the homily.

Father Bernard Menard, nephew and priest of the Diocese of Syracuse, will preside over the Reception of the Body at 2:30 p.m. on August 13 at St. Ann’s Church in Mooers Forks. Calling hours will follow until 6 p.m.

On August 14, calling hours will be held at St. Ann’s Church, Mooers Forks, from 9:30 until shortly before Mass.

Burial will follow Mass at St. Ann’s Cemetery with a reception afterward at the parish center.

Father Menard died August 8, 2025, at Plattsburgh Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. He was 96.

Born October 24, 1928, in Mooers, he was the son of Bernard and Adele (Arquette) Menard. He grew up in Mooers, attending Saint Mary’s Academy in Champlain. He studied at Wadhams Hall in Ogdensburg and St. Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester, New York. He later received graduate studies at Saint Michael’s College in Winooski, VT and the State University College at Potsdam.

He was ordained May 21, 1955, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg by Bishop Walter Kellenberg.

Father Menard’s first assignment was as assistant pastor in Lake Placid followed by St. Mary’s Church in Potsdam and St. Ann’s Church in Mooers Forks. During this time, he also served as faculty at St. Mary’s Academy in Champlain and taught Latin at Mooers High School, and the diocesan Director of the Columbian Squires.

In 1965, Father Menard was parochial vicar at Saint Alphonsus Church in Tupper Lake until becoming pastor at St. Peter’s Church in Hammond and St. Patrick’s Church in Rossie in 1971. In 1978, he was named pastor of St. Alexander’s Church in Morrisonville. He then served as pastor at St. Edmund’s Church in Ellenburg Center and St. Philomena’s Church in from 1983 until his retirement in 1999.

Father Menard was on the faculty of Wadhams Hall Seminary from 1965 to 1978, teaching Latin and French and serving as Foreign Languages Chair. Additionally, Father Menard was a prolific speaker and retreat director for youth and adults, presenting around the diocese on many topics. Among his many other duties, he was a prison chaplain at Clinton Correctional Facility, instructed CCD teachers, was chaplain of the Court Little Rose Catholic Daughters of America, was a deanery director for the Bishop’s Fund Appeal and served on the diocesan Board of Consultors.

Survivors include his sisters Cecile McDonald, Rita Miner, Sr. Elizabeth Menard, Gloria Menard, Catherine (Jerry) Frederick, Regina (John) Stansbury, and Jeanne Menard; brothers Roland Menard and Arthur (Norma) Menard. Father Menard is also survived by Shirley Reyell, his faithful housekeeper for over 45 years, and many nieces and nephews.

Father Menard was predeceased by his parents, brothers Fr. Clarence Menard, Leonard (Doris and Joyce) Manor, and infant Joseph Menard; sisters Theresa (Raymond) Lavoie, and infant Bertha Menard; and brothers-in-law Donald McDonald and Jerry Miner.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be offered to St. Ann’s Church, Mooers Forks, New York.

Arrangements are in the care of the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh, New York.