Cleric.
Born at Saint Prosper, Quebec on 4 December 1923 to Pierre Larochelle and Florida Gilbert, he attended Notre Dame School in Saint Prosper de Beauce (1930-1936), and the Séminaire du Sacré-Coeur, Saint Victor, also in Quebec (1943-1951). He pursued his theology training at the St. Boniface Major Seminary in Manitoba (1952-1956). Bishop Léo Blais, then bishop of Prince Albert, ordained him to the priesthood in Saint Prosper de Beauce Church, for the Archdiocese of St. Boniface, on 24 June 1956.
He remained in Manitoba for the rest of his life. As his first appointment, he was Parochial Assistant at Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish (1956-1959). He continued on as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Vassar (1959-1961); substitute Pastor in St. Eugène Parish in St. Vital (1961-1963), St. John Berchmans, Holland (1963), and Notre Dame du Laus, Powerview (1963-1968). In 1968, he was appointed the first Director of the Philosophate and Administrator of the St. Boniface Pastoral Centre, which continued through 1986. He was then appointed Pastor of Saint Eugène Parish and of Coeur Immaculé de Marie Chaplaincy (1986-1989); Pastor of Saint Hyacinthe, La Salle (1989-1991); Presbyteral Minister of Notre Dame du Laus, Powerview, and of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Stead (1992-1993); Parochial Administrator of Notre Dame de la Miséricorde, Ile-des-Chênes (1993-1994); and of Saint Adolphe (1996-1997). He also held a number of Diocesan ministries, either as Director of Liturgy (1973-1986) or Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Matters (1982-1986). For health reasons, he then retired from regular parish ministry.
It was primarily as Diocesan Director of Refugees that he is remembered (1979-1986). During that time, he helped more than 2,600 refugees to come to Winnipeg. The Canadian Government acknowledged his exceptional work in this area by honouring him with the Confederation 125 Medal in 1992. He was also instrumental in establishing Christian communities for the Vietnamese and Laotian newcomers in the St. Boniface Archdiocese. In his last years, he was a resident of Actionmarguerite (Taché Centre).
He died at Winnipeg on 23 February 2012 and was buried in the St. Boniface Cathedral Cemetery.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 27 February 2012.
Rev. Fr. Odilon Larochelle, FindAGrave.
This page was prepared by Lois Braun.
Page revised: 29 May 2026
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