Walter Julien LaRocque (1881 - 1936)

Born 14 Feb 1881 in Champlain, Clinton, New York, United States

Ancestors

Died 9 Aug 1936 at age 55 in Morrisonville, Clinton, New York, United States

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Biography

Rev. Walter J. LaRocque Ph.D. D.C.L. S.T.L.

Rev. Walter J. LaRocque was the first Coopersville native ordained a priest "He was everything a priest should be," remembers his cousin Edward Deso. This relative's perception of the man is borne out by plaudits from all sides. Walter LaRocque was born in 1881, eldest son of peter and Josephine Deso Rock of Coopersville. According to memoirs written by his cousin Robert Deso, " Walter first attended a little one room school near Honey Moore Corners where he first learned to read and write. .. My early recollections of him are that he was of a studious nature, and would often sit with my mother and knit while his brother and mine would play ball." Walter LaRocque graduated with classical honors from the Joilette Seminary, Joliette, Quebec. He later continued his studies in philosphy and theology in the Grand Seminary of Montreal under the supervision of the Sulpician Fathers. According to family tradition, Fr. LaRocque came from a poor family, and had to suspend his education more than once in order to earn the money to continue. Father LaRocque was ordained on Dec 18, 1909, in St. James' Basilica in Montreal by Archbishop Bruchesi. Dec 19, 1909 He sang his first Mass at St Joseph's in Coopersville. He served as pastor of St. Michael's parish in Standish, N.Y. for three years, and is credited with clearing the Parish of the heavy debt which had existed upon his arrival. From Standish, Fr. LaRocque went home. As pastor of St. Joseph's in Coopersville in 1912, he constructed a parish house over a period of about ten months. A short time later, Walter recieved permission from Bishop Gabriel to continue his studies in Rome, Italy. Sailing from New York on Dec. 26, 1913, he attended the American University. In 1915, after a year and a half of study, he received the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Canon Law. Upon his return to the United States, Rev. LaRocque again became pastor of St. Michael's. He moved on to Notre Dame Parish in Ogdensburg in 1916, serving as acting pastor during the illness of Father P. O. LaRose. There his accomplishments included many improvements to St. Peter's Parochial School. During World War I he became active in patriotic works. Upon the death of Fr. LaRose in 1918, the Rev. P. S. Garand was named pastor of Notre Dame; Fr. LaRocque became parish priest at St. Mary's in Clayton. In 1924, he suffered a stroke, which impaired his health. Four years later, he took a leave of absence from his work in the Diocese and joined his brother the Rev. Arnold LaRocque in Duncan Ok. He assisted his brother, who was rector of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in that city. Living with the two priests at the time was their mother, Mrs. Josephine LaRocque. Effective February 1, 1930, Rev. Walter LaRocque resigned his charge at Clayton due to ill health. He planned to remain in Oklahoma, according to a newspaper account of his resignation, but would maintain his connection with the Diocese if Ogdensburg. The Plattsburgh Daily Republican announced Fr. LaRocque's silver anniversary, marking 25 years in the priesthood, in an article published Dec. 20, 1934. "On account of ill health," the paper reported, "he celebrated his anniversary very Quietly," Fr. LaRocque's career in the priesthood spanned two worlds, his pursuit of scholastic and ecclesiastical studies afforded him the opportunity to take part in the Eucharistic National Congress in Montreal in 1910 and again in Chicago in 1925. He was priviledged to have audiences with Pope Pius X, Pope Benedict XV and Pope Pius XI. Yet he served little north country parishes such as St. Joseph's in Coopersville and St. Mary's in Clayton. "He was just a regular guy," remembered Edward Deso, 'What did we call him? Just Walter. He always had great respect for his grandparents. He often came back to see the folks." Fr. LaRocque died at the age of 55, August 1936, at the home of his sister, Cora LaPierre in Morrisonville. He had suffered for 12 years as an invalid. His relatives remember the priest walking with the aid of canes, and how his disability later confined him to a wheel chair.

From "The Living Stone," by Suzanne E. Moore

Sources

• "Find a Grave", database with images, Find A Grave: Memorial #33084228, Memorial page for Rev Fr Walter Julien LaRocque (14 Feb 1881-9 Aug 1936), citing Saint Joseph's Cemetery, Coopersville, Clinton County, New York, USA; Maintained by Lynn J. Gauthier (contributor 46868640).