Rev. Donald R. Daigle, 65, of Whitefield, died May 1 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Penn. after a brief illness. He was born in Augusta on Sept. 15, 1940, to Fortunat J. Daigle and Irene B. (Poulin) Daigle.
Father Daigle was educated in Augusta; Sherbrooke, Canada; Montreal, Canada; and St. Mary’s Seminary of Baltimore, Md. He was ordained on May 18, 1968. He served in many assignments under the Diocese of Portland. He started in 1968 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Madawaska, then moved to St. Theresa of the Infant Child in Mexico in 1971, St. Ignatius Martyr in Sanford in 1972, Holy Cross Church in Lewiston in 1973, St. Andre Church in Biddeford in 1974, Chaplain at St. Ann’s Indian Mission in Old Town in 1976, St. Joseph Church in Wallagrass in 1978, St. Joseph Church in Biddeford in 1978, pastor of St. Peter Church in Bingham in 1981, pastor of St. Agatha Church in St. Agatha in 1985, parochial vicar of St. Rose of Lima Church in Jay in 1987, administrator of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Sabattus in 1989, parochial vicar of Holy Family Catholic Church in Lewiston in 1989, pastor of St. Bridget Church in North Vassalboro in 1991, and pastor of St. Denis Church in Whitefield in 2000 to the present. While at St. Denis Church, he served as assistant chaplain at the Veterans Administration Center at Togus.
Father Daigle was a member of Gov. Kavanagh Council # 1423 – 3rd degree Knights of Columbus in North Whitefield and was a 4th degree member of the North Whitefield Assembly of Knights of Columbus.
Survivors include three brothers, Lawrence Daigle and wife Diane of Delaware, Maurice Daigle and wife Anne of Litchfield, and Rev. Roland Daigle, OFM Cap. of Japan; two sisters, Jeanette Fortier and husband Romeo of Canada, and Stella Savage and husband Stephen of Windsor; ten nieces and nephews; and several cousins.
Father Daigle will lie in state 3-6 p.m., Sun., May 7 at St. Denis Catholic Church, Grand Army Rd., Whitefield.
Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m., Mon., May 8 at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Most Reverend Richard J. Malone, Bishop of the Diocese of Portland officiating.
Burial in Holy Family Cemetery, Augusta.
Memorial contributions may be made to Augusta-Gardiner-Whitefield Catholic Community, 41 Western Ave., Augusta, ME 04330 or Clergy Health Pension, P.O. Box 11559, Portland, ME 04104, Attn: Peter McPartland.
Arrangements are under the care of Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta.
Condolences to the family may be expressed via the funeral home website at www.plummerfh.com.
