NORTH SMITHFIELD — Rev. Robert J. Maynard, 86, pastor emeritus of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, North Providence, died February 8 at St. Antoine Residence.
Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Alfred A. and Marion (Walsh) Maynard, and attended St. Michael School and LaSalle Academy in Providence.
In preparation for the priesthood, he studied at Our Lady of Providence Seminary and St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 22, 1948 at St. Mary Cathedral in Fall River, Massachusetts by Bishop James E. Cassidy.
Father Maynard’s first assignment was at St. Patrick Church in Valley Falls as assistant pastor. From October 1953 to October 1955, he served as chaplain in the U.S. Navy. From October 1955 to September 1962, he was assistant pastor at St. Matthew Church in Cranston and from 1962-1970 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Providence. In July 1970, he was appointed administrator of Presentation of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, and in May 1973 was named pastor of the same church. In June 1993, Father Maynard retired from administration as pastor emeritus, but he continued to offer priestly ministry at St. Paul Church in Cranston. In 2006 he moved to St. Antoine Residence.
In addition to his parish duties, Father Maynard served also as chaplain of Blessed Sacrament Circle of the Daughters of Isabella (1966); member of the Priests’ Senate; member and chairman of the Priests’ Personnel Board (1982, 1986), member of the Advisory Board for Seminaries, and member of the Council of Priests (2003-2006).
Father Maynard is survived by a brother, Father Richard C. Maynard, pastor emeritus of Sacred Heart Church, Pawtucket; a sister, Alice Prior; and several nieces and nephews.
A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial was offered for the repose of his soul on February 12 at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church with Rev. Richard Maynard as the main celebrant and homilist. Bishops Louis E. Gelineau, Francis X. Roque, Ernest E. Boland and other priests concelebrated. Burial was in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Cranston.
