Beloved Holy Cross priest and University of Portland professor Fr. Claude Pomerleau, C.S.C., died on the morning of Sunday, July 21, after a long battle with cancer. Fr. Claude resided for the last month at the Holy Cross nursing home in Notre Dame, Indiana. He enjoyed many meaningful visits with family and friends that gave him deep peace as he passed from this life.
The wake and funeral for Fr. Claude will take place on Thursday and Friday, July 25 and 26, at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. This Tuesday, July 23, the regular 12:05 p.m. Mass at the Chapel of Christ the Teacher will be offered for Fr. Claude’s eternal rest. After classes resume, when more faculty, students, and staff can participate, a larger memorial Mass will be celebrated in gratitude for the many blessings God gave our UP community through the presence and ministry of Fr. Claude.
Fr. Claude 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. He 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. Claude 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. Claude’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.
In remembrance of Fr. Claude’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.
Memorial contributions in honor of Fr. Claude and in support of the mission and ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross can be made to: United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Office of Development, P.O. Box 765, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0765 or online at donate.holycrossusa.org.
Fr. Claude, as a genuine Holy Cross priest, was an educator in the faith and a person with hope to bring. We will miss him dearly, and we entrust him in confidence to God’s loving embrace.