WARWICK — Rev. Joseph A. Besse, 88, pastor emeritus of St. Pius X Church, Westerly, died Feb.13.
Born in Providence, he was the son of the late William L. and Margaret T. (McGovern) Besse.
He attended Tyler School and LaSalle Academy in Providence, and completed studies for the priesthood at St. Charles College in Catonsville, Md., and at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Md., and Our Lady of Providence Seminary, Warwick Neck.
He was ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 22, 1945 in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Providence, by Bishop Francis P. Keough.
Following his ordination, Father Besse was named professor at Our Lady of Providence Seminary, Warwick Neck. In 1950 he completed postgraduate work at The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
In October, 1950, he returned to the seminary staff at Warwick Neck and worked as professor, dean, and registrar until 1968 when he was appointed pastor of Assumption Church, Providence.
In February 1971 he was transferred as pastor to St. Philip Church , Greenville. In September 1978 he became chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital, Providence. In June 1983 he was appointed pastor of St. Pius X Church, Westerly and served there until January 1992 when he retired as pastor emeritus.
In addition to his parochial duties, Father Besse was also Pro-Synodal Examiner and Pro-Synodal Judge, director of Sacred Liturgy, chaplain of Father Wallace Assembly Knights of Columbus, diocesan consultor, and a member of the Priests’ Personnel Board.
After his retirement from parish duties, Father Besse took up residence in Warwick but continued to assist in various parishes in the diocese, especially at St. Gregory the Great Church, Warwick.
He also did volunteer work in the archives of the Diocese of Providence and the Providence Visitor, now Rhode Island Catholic.
Father Besse was the brother of the late Mary Turbridy and John Besse. He is survived by a niece and a nephew, Mary E. Coleman of Glocester; and John T. Turbridy of Glendale, Ariz.
Calling hours will be held at St. Gregory the Great Church, 360 Cowesett Road, Warwick, Feb. 18, from 4-8 p.m.
A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of his soul at St. Gregory the Great Church, Feb. 19, at 10 a.m. with Bishop Thomas J. Tobin as the main celebrant and Bishop Francis X. Roque as concelebrant. Msgr. John C. Halloran will be the homilist. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket.
