Rev. Marc Touchette, 82

A funeral Mass was offered Aug. 22 at Holy Trinity Church in Cohoes for Rev. Marc Touchette, who died Aug. 18. He was 82 and had been a priest of the Albany Diocese for 55 years.

A native of Whitehall, his parish assignments included St. James, North Creek; St. Francis de Sales, Troy; St. Francis de Sales, Gloversville; St. Marie's, Cohoes; St. John the Baptist, Albany; Blessed Sacrament, Albany; Sacred Heart, Watervliet; St. Monica's, Johnsonville; and St. Bernard's, Cohoes, where he was stationed for 25 years.

Father Touchette once spoke to The Evangelist about the importance of preparing for the end of one's own life - not just in spiritual terms, but in making sure the practical arrangements have been made. He saw today's understanding of "journey from life to death as one of hope and even 'going home' to God....It is no longer a heavy burden to bear, but something to rejoice in for the sake of the deceased."

After decades of service, Father Touchette has indeed laid down that burden and gone home to God. He had arranged years ago to be laid to rest in his hometown, Whitehall, next to the twin sister who died when he was 27. He called the pre-planning "a gift, one that I've given in love."

Survivors include a sister, Gloria. Interment was in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Whitehall.[[In-content Ad]]