Diocesan Priest Father Norm Clement, a priest with Diocese of Sault Ste Marie for 56 years, passed away on April 5th, 2020 due to complication from a stroke at the St. Joseph Motherhouse in North Bay.
Father Norm Clement was pre-deceased by his loving parents, Desmond and Laurette Clement (née Lajambe); his sisters Pauline (Maurice Jolicoeur), Madeleine (Mike Zuck-deceased); his brothers Jacques (Yvette), Maurice (Neardree). He is survived by his siblings Clarence (Shirley), Richard (Norma), Marguerite (Richard Laperriere), André (partner Louise), Catherine (John Kutchaw-deceased) and Charles (Christine). He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their children.
Father Norm was born August 19, 1938 in Sudbury, Ontario. He was educated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Sacred Heart College and at the University of Sudbury and he completed his studies for the priesthood at St. Augustine Seminary in Toronto. He was ordained May 14, 1964. Father Norm further studied Catechetics for Adolescents at the University of Strasbourg, France and earned his master’s degree in Canon Law.
From 1964 to 1968 he served as an assistant at Sacred Heart Parish in Sturgeon Falls and St. Eugene and St. Anne Parishes in Sudbury. He was a member of the diocesan catechetical team and a religion teacher at Confederation and Chelmsford Secondary Schools.
Father Norm worked in the Chancery Office for the Diocese of Sault Ste Marie from 1968 to 2000; served as Chaplain to St. Joseph’s College in North Bay from 1969 to 1975; was Chancellor from 1975 to 2000; and Vicar General of the Marriage Tribunal, and Episcopal Vicar to Permanent Deacons from 1985 to 2000. From 1987 to 2006, Monsignor Clement was the Chaplain for the Sisters of the Precious Blood Monastery that was located in North Bay.
In 2000, he became Chaplain with the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board as well as serving in Ministry to the Priests of the Diocese of Sault Ste Marie. He was a previous host and celebrant for A Mass for Shut-Ins, was involved with Chaplain Services at Canadian Forces Base 22, Queen of Heaven Chapel and a Priest of Service to both Woodlands Seniors Residence and Marina Point Retirement Village.
During this unprecedented situation with COVID-19, it is with very heavy hearts that the family has made the difficult decision to hold a private funeral. A recording of this service will be available at a later date. Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, North Bay, Ontario, Priest Plot. A mass of Christian burial will be held at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption at a later date.
As an expression of appreciation and sympathy donations in memory of Father Norm to the Sisters of St Joseph will be gratefully acknowledged.