Bernard Belley O.M.I.

EVEREND BERNARD BELLEY, OMI - MISSIONARY OBLATE PRIEST FOR 51 YEARS
Father Bernard Belley, OMI, 76, died suddenly at St. Eugene House in Lowell on November 13. He was born in Lowell on April 19, 1929, the son of Edmond L. Belley and Regina (Sinotte) Belley.
Father Belley studied Theology at the University of Ottawa and was ordained to the priesthood
on September 14, 1954. His first assignment was as teacher of French at the Oblate Seminary in
Bucksport, Maine. He later served in parish ministry at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and Plattsburgh,
New York. In 1965 he became director of St. Charles House in Washington DC while earning a
degree of Master in Social Work at the Catholic University of America. He was a special
consultant to the Seminary Formation Committee of the National Conference of Catholic
Charities.
In 1968 he was appointed director of counseling and social services at the Shrine of St. Joseph
the Worker, in downtown Lowell. He was prominent in many local interfaith activities such as
the Coalition for a Better Acre. He participated in popular marriage preparation courses at the
Shrine. He later became vicar-provincial of the Northern Province of the Missionary Oblates.
After recovering from open heart surgery, he was able to accept the position of pastor at Notre
Dame de Lourdes Parish in Lowell. He was always an effective speaker. His talks were ever
enriched with anecdotes and an appropriate dose of humor. He was an avid sports fan. His
favorite sport was football.
After retiring to St. Eugene House in September of 2001, he was still active for many years as
assistant chaplain at St. Joseph Rehabilitation Center in Lowell. He offered Mass regularly for
the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa and for the Sisters of the Holy Union.
In addition to his Oblate family, Father Belley is survived by his brothers, Roger Belley of
Tyngsboro, Leon Belley of Tewksbury, and Richard Belley and his wife, Carole, of Manhasset
New York. He is also survived by his sisters, Ursula Belley of Lowell, and Marie Belley
Latouche of Chelmsford. He was also the brother of the late Louis Belley who is survived his
wife, Madeleine Belley of Lafayette, Louisiana. He was the brother in law of the late Joseph
Latouche, husband of Marie, and of the late Rita Belley, wife of Leon. He had many nephews and
nieces.