Lowell celebrated Keraouc’s future friend – (PIP #42)

By Louise Peloquin

     An October gathering of Kerouac’s friends and admirers would definitely have included Fr. Armand Morrissette, O.M.I. (1910-1991) who recognized in adolescent Jack a talent which would become no less than stellar. “Father Spike” championed Jack even into eternity when, on October 24, 1969, he officiated his friend’s funeral at St. Jean-Baptiste Church. Until his own dying day, Armand Morrissette never ceased to advocate for his fellow Franco-American who so phenomenally contributed to putting Lowell on the world map.

In 1924, no one knew where destiny would lead Armand Morrissette. However, the following article demonstrates that a great many Lowellians saw within him the trappings of a remarkable individual. Teenager Armand brought all kinds of people together to celebrate in Lowell. Had he been alive at the time, surely Jack would have enjoyed the party.

L’Etoile, September 5, 1924

     Beautiful reception in honor of Armand Morrissette

     Celebrating Armand Morrissette on the occasion of his upcoming departure for the Colebrook, N.H. Oblate Fathers’  juniorate (1) – Address, gifts, singing, refreshments. – Reverend Father Émile Bolduc, O.M.I., attends the celebration.

     Wednesday evening, Armand Morrissette’s numerous family members and friends got together at the request of his grand-parents Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cormellier of 44 Race Street, in order to give him a pleasant surprise before his departure next Tuesday September 9th for the Colebrook, N.H. Oblate Fathers’ juniorate.

    A little after 8 o’clock, everyone gathered for the young man’s arrival from Fall River where he had spent his vacation. How surprised he was to see all of the family members, friends, classmates and acquaintances! Right away, Mr. Stanislas Paquin began to read to Mr. Armand Morrissette, the hero of the celebration, a beautiful address composed for the circumstance by Attorney Arthur Eno. Then, Attorney Eno presented the guest of honor with a well-filled purse offered by the reception participants. Then, Joseph Morrissette gave his brother Armand a travel satchel, another gift from his friends. To cap it all, Miss Yvonne Comeau presented the evening’s hero with a magnificent bouquet of flowers sent by his aunt, Mrs. Alphonse Paquette of Pelham, N.H. 

     As far as the evening’s musical and artistic program is concerned, it is perhaps useless to say that the music was replaced by singing like it still exists today in our families. But it is not needless to say that everyone enjoyed themselves. Mr. Stanislas Paquin amused the partygoers with his comical songs. At the end of the evening, Mrs. Alexander Morin performed a wide selection of songs to the attendees’ great satisfaction. Miss Corinne Héroux also captivated the audience with comical songs, joke-telling and other pleasantries. 

     Refreshments, sweets and fruit were passed around during the evening. Then an evening snack was served.

     Reverend Father Émile Bolduc, O.M.I., of St.Jean-Baptiste parish, was the principal guest of the celebration. From out-of-town we noticed Miss Doria Vétivier of Fall River, Mass.

     Among the guests at the reception were Mr. and Mrs. Amédée Archambault; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Thériault; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Paquette; Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Sawyer; Mr. and Mrs. Édouard Légère; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sawyer; Mr. and Mrs. Pierre Eno; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Comtois; Mr. and Mrs. Cyprien Morrissette; Mrs. Herménégilde Tanguay Beausoleil; Hormidas Comtois; Thomas Côté; Pierre Leblanc and Henri St. Cyr; Misses Corinne Héroux, Marie Héroux, Amanda Bergeron, Diane Eno, Démerise Richard, Anna Dumais, Blanche Caron, Emilda Généreux, Marie-Louise Comtois, Marie Patenaude, ‘M’ Lord, Marie Laplante, Dianna Côté, Marie-Louise Morrissette, Clarice Dureault, Dianna Boisvert, Alice Boisvert, Marie Ouellette, Marie Bourgeault, Irène April, Jeannette April, Marie Morrissette; Attorney Arthur Blazon; jeweller Willis Peltier; Dr. Hervé Rochette; Mr. George Beaudoin; Mr. Albert St-Laurent; Mr. Henri Poirier; Mr. Jean Bouthillette; Mr. G. Pelletier; Mr. M. Lavigne; Mr. M. Morin; Mr. Alcide Bourgeault; Mr. Maurice Doyle; Mr. Gédéon Boisvert and Jean-Baptiste Morrissette. 

     Also in attendance, a number of young Morrissette’s classmates and friends whose names are as follows; Stanislas Paquin; Ernest, Léandre, Arthur, Gérard, Roland, and Nestor Eno; Roland and Albert Bergeron; Georges St-Jean; Hervé and Réal Perreault; Henri Ducharme; Joseph Frechette; Hildège Bourgeault; Joseph Légère; Louis Desruisseaux; Joseph Morrissette; Arthur Laurin; Roméo Poirier; Léon Fournier and Henri Bolduc.

     Mrs. Joseph Comtois organized this celebration assisted by Mr. Stanislas Paquin and Mr. Ernest Eno.

     At a late hour, the guests left delighted with their evening and wishing good luck to Mr. Armand Morrissette in his future career. (2)

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1. A juniorate is a two-year course of study for candidates to the priesthood.
2. Translation by Louise Peloquin.