Msgr. Cyril Lamontagne Passes Away at 84.
ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, Aug 8, CMC – The Grenada government says the island is grateful for the service of St Lucia-born Monsignor Cyril Lamontagne, the Vicar General of the Roman Catholic Church, who died on Friday.
The cause of death was not disclosed.
“His was a long and dedicated vocation to the Grenadian people and we are all grateful for his service,” the Keith Mitchell administration said in a statement marking the death of the St. Lucian national.
Monsignor Cyril Lamontagne, 84, was the longest serving priest in the Diocese of St. George. He came to Grenada after studying for the priesthood in Canada and was ordained on August 9, 1964 by the late Bishop Justin Fields.
Most interesting then, he was the only black priest at that time in the Diocese. During his more than 50 years here, Monsignor lived through the tough times including – the pre-independence struggles, the March 13 Revolution, the United States invasion/rescue mission and Hurricane Ivan.
When he celebrated his 50th anniversary in 2014, Monsignor Lamontagne said he had absolutely no regrets being a priest and serving the Diocese and thanked the people of Grenada for their acceptance of him.
He was appointed Vicar-General in October 1976 and was honoured by the Holy Father in September 1982 with the title of Monsignor and was reappointed Vicar-General in 2003.
He was also honoured by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and was awarded the title Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 1996
Msgr. Cyril Lamontagne was born in St. Lucia in 1932, the eldest of a family of four boys and two girls. His desire to become a priest led him first to Martinique and then to Quebec, Canada, where he completed his studies for the priesthood.
Msgr. Lamontagne ministered in many of the parishes of the diocese, notably in Our Lady Help of Christians, Beaulieu, in St. Mark’s, Victoria, and in St. Dominic’s, Perdmontemps. But perhaps it is for his many years as Administrator of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception that he is best remembered.
When Bishop Sydney Charles became bishop of St. George’s he appointed then Fr. Lamontagne as his Vicar General, a post that he held for twenty-seven years.
As a mark of recognition for his service Msgr..Lamontagne was given the title “Monseigneur” by Pope John Paul II.
Msgr. Lamontagne was again appointed Vicar General of the diocese by Bishop Vincent Darius O.P. in 2002 and remained in that role until his resignation in 2012.
Msgr. Lamontagne continued to minister in St. Dominic’s Parish, Perdmontemps until ill health forced him to relinquish his responsibilities as parish priest but he continued to assist in various parishes at weekends. He came to reside in the specially prepared apartment at the Cathedral Presbytery in July of last year and, in spite of his deteriorating health, continued to assist with Sunday and weekday masses.
Monseigneur Cyril Lamontagne died peacefully at 7.00 a. m. Friday morning in the General Hospital, St. George’s.
He leaves to mourn his three brothers Cameron, Willings and Keith in Saint Lucia, his two sisters, Lorna and Shirley in the U.K. and very many nieces and nephews.