Father Ronald Henry Benoit , 78, pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish in Richmond since June 24, 1996, died unexpectedly Sunday, Aug. 28, 2005, in the parish rectory. Born in St. Johnsbury on Dec. 19, 1929, he was the son of the late Louis and Rose (Bernier) Benoit. Father graduated from St. Gabriel School in St. Johnsbury in 1942, St. Johnsbury Academy in 1946, Saint Michael's College in 1948 and St. Augustine Seminary in Toronto in 1955. He was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Burlington in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Burlington, on June 4, 1955, by the Most Reverend Edward F. Ryan, former Bishop. Father Benoit recently celebrated his 50th anniversary of ordination on June 19, 2005. Father Benoit's 50 years as a priest have taken him throughout the Diocese. He served as an assistant in St. Mary's Parish, Springfield, in 1955; St. Raphael Parish, Poultney, from 1955-59; St. Joseph Parish, Burlington, from 1959-64; and Christ the King Parish, Rutland, from 1964-66. He was then appointed pastor of St. Monica Parish, Forrestdale, from 1966-70; chaplain for Brandon Training School from 1970-71; pastor of St. Edward Parish, Derby Line, from 1971-77; chaplain for Fletcher Allen Health Care from 1977-91; pastor of St. Dominic Parish, Proctor, from 1991-96; and pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish, Richmond, from 1996 until his passing on Sunday. He was also serving as school board member for Rice Memorial High School since 1998. Father was currently serving as chaplain for several organizations in Richmond, including Rosary Counsel 4684, Knights of Columbus, Hale and Hearty Senior Citizens, and Beacon Light Grange 551. He was also very active with the Richmond Historical Society and oftentimes hosted tours in the Old Round Church on Sunday afternoons. From 1993-96, he served as chaplain for the Civil Air Patrol in Rutland. Father will be remembered as an avid skier who enjoyed the slopes at Bolton Valley and Smuggler's Notch. He leaves his brother, Paul Benoit and his wife Alice of Winooski; his sister, Virginia Burns and her husband Daniel of South Burlington; several nephews and nieces, Ronald and Julia Benoit, Christopher Benoit, Mary and James Rippin, Paula and John Horm, Susan and Christopher Turner, Mathew and Yvonne Benoit, Alicia and Michael Clark, Jeffrey and Mitzi Burns, Susan Cataldo, and Mark and Betsy Davison; and several grandnephews, grandnieces and cousins. In addition to his parents, Father was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Priscilla and Quinton Davison. A Mass of Christian burial will be concelebrated by the Most Reverends Bishop Kenneth A. Angel and Bishop Salvatore R. Mantano, and priests from throughout the Diocese on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005, at 11 a.m., in the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Richmond. Interment will take place on Wednesday at 3 p.m. in Mount Calvary Cemetery in St. Johnsbury. Father Benoit will lay in state in Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church Sanctuary today, Aug. 30, 2005, from 5-8 p.m., where his family will receive parishioners and friends. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Priest's Benefit Fund, P.O. Box 489, Burlington, VT 05402-0489.