ELHATTON, HUGH CLETUS (1890-1990)

ELHATTON, HUGH CLETUS, Catholic parish priest, Barnaby River, 1922-72; b. Bathurst, 26 Apr 1890, s/o Peter Elhatton, a native of Co. Armagh, Ireland, and Bridget Salter; ordained 1916; d. Chatham, 28 Jan 1990.

H. Cletus Elhatton was educated at the Sacred Heart College at Caraquet and St Dunstan's University (BA 1910). He began his studies for the priesthood at the College of the Propaganda in Rome (1913-15), but as World War I intensified he was compelled to return home and complete his training in Canada.

During the six years which followed his ordination Elhatton had appointments in eight different parishes in northern New Brunswick, the lengthiest of which was at Petit Rocher, where he was curate from 1916 to 1919. In 1922 he became parish priest at Barnaby River, and he continued there for fifty years, until his retirement in 1972. He was known for his "quiet and humble manner" and his "dedication and fidelity to duty." He took good care of the flock and also of the church records and church buildings. In the late 1940s and early 50s he sat on the board of governors of St Thomas College. An accomplished athlete in his youth, he was always an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing.

In 1986, on the seventieth anniversary of his ordination, Elhatton received an honorary prelature from Pope John Paul II and the title of "Monsignor." From 1987 onward he was a patient at Mount St Joseph in Chatham. He was less than four months short of his 100th birthday when he died.