President
July 22, 2019
Holy Cross priest and University of Portland professor Rev. Claude Pomerleau, C.S.C., passed away on the morning of Sunday, July 21. After a long battle with cancer, Fr. Pomerleau resided for the last month at the Holy Cross nursing home in Notre Dame, Indiana. During this time, he enjoyed many meaningful visits with family and friends that gave him deep peace as he passed from this life. The memorial Mass for Fr. Pomerleau will be held on Thursday, September 5 at 5 p.m. in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. A social in the Bauccio Commons Board Room will follow the memorial Mass.
After his ordination in Rome in 1965 (during the Second Vatican Council), Fr. Pomerleau studied international relations and taught at the University of Notre Dame and the University of Chile, before arriving on The Bluff in 1991. Fr. Pomerleau was a professor in political science, with specialties in both Latin America and Europe. In addition, he served as director of the Peace Studies Program (1994-2000) and the Social Justice Program (2000-2008), and he also helped establish an African School of Diplomacy at Uganda Martyrs University in Kampala. While engaged in these academic and intellectual pursuits, Fr. Pomerleau served as the local superior of the Holy Cross priests and brothers at UP (2002-2008).
Fr. Pomerleau also advised numerous clubs, served as the pastoral resident of Haggerty & Tyson Halls, ministered in Oregon prisons, and assisted faithfully at local parishes, especially by offering Mass in Spanish. Fr. Pomerleau performed all of this sacred labor with joy in his spirit, a smile on his face, and a song in his heart. His love of music was, perhaps, Fr. Pomerleau’s most defining feature, as evidenced both in his clarinet performances at Holy Cross community and UP Masses and in his frequent attendance at performances of the Oregon Symphony and Portland Baroque Orchestra.
The wake and funeral for Fr. Pomerleau took place on Friday, July 25 and 26, at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. On Tuesday, July 23, the regular 12:05 p.m. Mass at the Chapel of Christ the Teacher was offered for Fr. Pomerleau's eternal rest.
In remembrance of Fr. Pomerleau’s love of music, you may donate to the “Fr. Claude Pomerleau, C.S.C., Excellence in Music Fund” at the University of Portland. Gifts may be given online at: giving.up.edu/Pomerleau or mailed to: University of Portland, Office of Development, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd. Portland, OR 97203 with “Fr. Claude Pomerleau” in the memo field.University of Portland
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
Portland, Oregon 97203-5798
503.943.8000
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