Rev. Sylvio J. Levesque

AUGUSTA – Please pray for the repose of the soul of Rev. Sylvio J. Levesque, 93, priest of the Diocese of Portland, who passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, at the Augusta Center for Health and Rehabilitation.

Fr. Sylvio was born in Augusta, on July 13, 1930, the son of Joseph F. Levesque and Mathilda (Lagace) Levesque. He attended the former St. Augustine Grammar School and then went to St. Charles Seminary, Sherbrooke, Quebec, for high school. He then completed his studies in Philosophy and Theology at St. Paul Major Seminary of the University of Ottawa, Ontario, where he obtained a Bachelor of Philosophy Degree and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 1955, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland, by the Most Rev. Daniel J Feeney, eighth Bishop of Portland.

As a “Parochial Vicar” he served in the following assignments: St. Louis Parish, Limestone, from June 1955 to September 1957 and St. Joseph Parish, Biddeford, from September 1957 to June 1969. As a “Pastor”, Fr. Sylvio served in the following assignments: St. Joseph Parish, Sinclair, and Holy Family Parish, Daigle, from June 1969 to September 1974, St. Athanasius, St. John Parish, Rumford, from June 1974 to September 1982, St. Francis de Sales Parish, Waterville, from September 1982 to September 1989 and St. Francis Xavier Parish, Winthrop, from September 1989 to June 2001.

Fr. Levesque retired from full-time active ministry on June 1, 2001. In his retirement, he kept on assisting in parishes wherever there was a need, until his deteriorating health made it impossible to continue.

Fr. Levesque also offered faithful services to his diocese, fellow priests, and lay parishioners as Chaplain to the Knights of Columbus and the Order of Catholic Women. He was also a member of the Diocesan Planning Board and the Priests’ Personnel Board.

Fr. Levesque was better known as Uncle Sylvio to his many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, as well as great-great nieces and great-great nephews, whom he loved very much. Uncle Sylvio was an avid golfer, a master cribbage player who loved skunking his opponents, and cherished celebrating holidays with family. His face would beam when it came to barbecues, lobster, and ice cream. His humor was contagious and could make anyone laugh.

Fr. Sylvio was predeceased by his parents and his siblings: Gerard Levesque, Marie Jeanne Douin, Leo Levesque and Alfred Levesque.

He is survived by his sister: Annette Dostie.

Viewing of the body will be held on Tuesday, October 10, from 10 – 10:45 a.m., at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Washington St., Augusta, followed immediately by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., to be celebrated by the Most Rev. Robert Deeley, Bishop of Portland. Fr. Sylvio’s remains will be buried immediately after the Mass in his parents’ lot at St. Augustine Cemetery, Townsend Road, Augusta.

May Fr. Sylvio’s soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME. Condolences, photos and stories may be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Fr. Levesques memory may be made to: Maine Right to Life, PO Box 257, Auburn, ME, 04212 or St. Michael’s School, 56 Sewall St.,

Augusta, ME 04330.

Rev. Sylvio J. Levesque