Ronald E. Brassard
February 12, 1947 – August 6, 2021
Reverend Ronald E. Brassard, 74, Pastor Emeritus of Immaculate Conception Parish in Cranston entered into eternal life on Friday, August 6, 2021, the Feast of the Transfiguration, at Tockwotten on the Waterfront in East Providence, surrounded by his parishioners and many friends.
An accomplished musician, and nationally known liturgist, composer and director, Father Brassard was born in Attleboro Massachusetts on February 12, 1947. He was the son of the late Ernest J. Brassard and Cecile (Gousie) Brassard and the brother of the late Shirley Brassard Glod. He attended the Holy Trinity School in Central Falls, St Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, Our Lady of Providence Seminary College in Providence and the Catholic University of America where he received his Masters of Divinity degree. He was ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop Louis E. Gelineau on April 21, 1974 at St John the Baptist Church in Pawtucket.
He served in numerous parochial assignments throughout the Diocese of Providence as well as many Diocesan duties including Chaplain for the Apostolate for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired, founder of the Diocesan Office for Worship and Liturgy, Assistant Chancellor, and Diocesan Dean for Deanery VI, Chairman of the Diocesan Music Commission, and initiator of the annual Diocesan Music Festival. From 1983 to 1988 he served as Director of Liturgy for the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois.
He had a close personal relationship with Dave and Iola Brubeck and their family. While at the Shrine he and Chris Brubeck wrote the musical “David Champion of Israel” that was performed twice at the Shrine. He was an elected member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, serving as President of the Clergy Section. He served as Chairperson of the Regional Convention: “Sundays and Seasons” in 1982, and served on the faculty of the NPM Cantor and Choir schools throughout the United States. He was appointed by Governor Lincoln Almond to the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and served from 1998-2001.
He was a strong supporter of Catholic education and a proud graduate, Class of 1964, and lifelong supporter of Saint Raphael Academy in Pawtucket and served as a member of their Board of Advisors for many years. In 1994, he was named Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Cranston and founded and built the Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School, the first Catholic parochial school to open in the Diocese in 40 years. In 2017, he retired as Pastor of St Mark’s Parish in Jamestown and was named Pastor Emeritus of Immaculate Conception Parish that same year.
A concelebrated Mass was celebrated on Friday, August 13, 2021 at 6 PM at Immaculate Conception Church and his body will lie in state for visitation and viewing from 6 PM to 9 PM. A Pontifical concelebrated Mass of Christian burial was held on Saturday, August 14 at 10 AM and burial was at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Providence.