Father Oliver, TOR of the Third Order Regular Franciscans of the Province of the Most Sacred of Jesus, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013, at Forbes Regional Hospital, Monroeville, Pa.
Born Dec. 9, 1940, in Worcester, Mass., and given the name John. He was the son of the late Oliver A. Hebert and Maude M. Champagne Hebert. He was a graduate of Park Street Elementary School, Palmer, Mass., and Palmer High School, Palmer, Mass. After high school graduation, Father Oliver attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, where he received a bachelor of arts in mathematics in June 1961, and received a master of arts in mathematics in June 1963. From September 1963 until June 1965, Father Oliver was an instructor of mathematics at Williston Academy, Easthampton, Mass.
Father Oliver entered the Third Order Regular on Sept. 12, 1965, at Mount Assisi Monastery, Loretto. He professed his temporary vows on July 1, 1967, at Sacred Heart Monastery, Winchester, Va., and his solemn vows on July 1, 1970, at Immaculate Conception Chapel, Loretto. Father Oliver was ordained to the priesthood by the late Bishop James J. Hogan, D.D. of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, at Immaculate Conception Chapel, St. Francis College, Loretto, on May 15, 1971. Father Oliver received his Master of Divinity degree from St. Francis Seminary, Loretto, in 1971. He received a master of arts degree in Eastern Christian Studies from John XXIII Institute for Eastern Christian Studies, Maryknoll Seminary, Ossining, N.Y., in 1976. He did doctoral studies in mathematics at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh.
During his long and very generous ministry, Father Oliver served as follows: 1971-1973, St. Francis College, Loretto, as instructor in math; 1973-1978, The College of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio, as instructor in theology; 1978-1984, Franciscan Renewal Center, Winchester, Va., as director; 1984-1988, St. Francis College, Loretto, as instructor in math; 1988-1990, the University of Pittsburgh, graduate studies; 1990-2001, St. Francis University, professor of mathematics; 2001-2002, St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, Northern Cambria, associate pastor; 2002-present, St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, Northern Cambria, pastor; 2002-present, SS. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Patton, pastor.
Father Oliver is survived by his brother, Edward, Nicholson, Pa., and his cousin, Donald R. Hall, Northern Cambria.
Internment will take place at Franciscan Friars’ Cemetery, on the campus of St. Francis University, Loretto.
In the Williston summer session of 1964 Father Oliver, then “Mr. Hebert”, taught me Algebra. I’ve never forgotten his beaming smile, good humor, and his infinite patience with one very numerically-challenged young man. He was a gifted teacher indeed and one of a number at Williston who have left an indelible mark. Thanks Father Oliver. -William (Bill) Anthony, Ph.D., Williston ’66
Mr. Hebert was brilliant, far smarter than those to whom he taught Calculus in 1964-65. I remain impressed by his ability to gauge the progress of the class. He would sense that we were lagging behind and stop and get us back on board. He had infinite patience and we required a great deal of it. After a year with Mr. Hebert, I was ready for all the math that West Point threw at me. Thank you Mr. Hebert. Well done!
As a 12 year old boarder in 1964, I recall that he was our ‘shepherd’ – walking with the Catholic boys to Church in town. I have very fond memories of Mr. Hebert from his brief tenure at Williston Academy.
A wonderful math teacher and my “swimming” coach. He had a great smile and was just a pleasure to be around.