Reverend Howard Leo Chabot  1940 – 2018

Reverend Howard Leo Chabot, priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pembroke, passed away on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at the age of 77. Father Chabot was born in Arnprior, Ontario, on August 28, 1940. He attended elementary and high school in Arnprior, St. Mary’s Redemptorist College, Brockville, St. George’s Novitiate of the Redemptorist Fathers, St. Augustine’s Seminary and the Grand Seminary of Montreal. He recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination having been ordained to the priesthood on May 4, 1968 in his home parish of St. John Chrysostom, Arnprior, by Bishop William J. Smith. Shortly after ordination, Father Chabot attended the Divine Word International Centre in Scarborough. Father was Parochial Vicar in the parishes of Our Lady of Mercy, Bancroft, and St. Columbkille Cathedral, Pembroke, as well as serving at Our Lady of Sorrows, Petawawa. As parish priest, he served the parishes of St. Paul the Hermit, Sheenboro, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Braeside, Most Holy Name of Jesus, Pembroke, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, LaPasse and Our Lady of Grace, Westmeath, and Our Lady of Lourdes, Pembroke. In addition to his parish work, Father Chabot served in the diocese as Director of Catholic Social Services, the Office of the Lay Apostolate, the Office of Religious Education, member of the Priestly Life Committee, Zone Chairman of the Pembroke Pastoral Zone and the Office of Vocations. He also exercised his many talents as chaplain of the Pembroke Police Services, as Probation/Aftercare Children’s Services Division of the Pembroke Community and Social Services as well as chaplain to the Sisters of St. Joseph, Pembroke. After such an extended and lengthy ministry, Father Chabot entered retirement on July 31, 2005. However, Father Chabot did not retire to sit quietly: even in retirement from full-time parish ministry, he led workshops and preached retreats and days of recollection in many parishes and smaller groups. Preceded in death by his parents George and Cecelia Chabot (nee Cleroux), by infant brother Joseph, by brother Dalt (Judy) Chabot, and by sisters Doris (Des) Herrick and Mildred (Wib) Clarke. Sadly missed by many nieces, nephews and Clergy Faithfull of the Diocese of Pembroke. All are invited to the Rite of Reception of the Body at St. Columbkille Cathedral, Pembroke, on Monday, July 2nd, at 2:00 p.m. Following the Rite of Reception, friends may pay their respects until 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial, presided by His Excellency, Bishop Michael Mulhall, will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 3rd at 10:30 a.m. also at St. Columbkille Cathedral. Following the funeral liturgy, interment will take place in the Malloch Road Cemetery, Arnprior. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul would be appreciated. Honoring Father Chabot’s wishes, the Mission with John Pridmore being held at St. Columbkille’s Cathedral, Pembroke on October 1-3, 2018 will proceed. Arrangements are in the care of Neville Funeral Home, Pembroke.