Reverend Robert Lamitie

Reverend Robert O. Lamitie, age 90, passed peacefully into new life on December 7, 2021, at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach, Florida. Kit, his faithful friend of many years, was at his side.

On Monday, December 13 at 3p.m. Reverend John Yonkovig will preside over the reception of the Body at Saint Agnes Church in Lake Placid. Calling hours will continue until 6p.m. Evening Prayer. Calling hours will resume the following morning from at 9 until 10:30 a.m.

Most Reverend Terry R. LaValley, Bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg, will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial at 11a.m. on Tuesday, December 14 with the priests of the diocese concelebrating. Reverend Donald A. Robinson will offer the homily. Father Lamitie will be laid to rest afterward at Saint John in the Wilderness Cemetery in Lake Clear.

Robert Lamitie was born in Albany on September 11, 1931, the son of Oliver and Marie (Florida-Hamlin) Lamitie.

After graduating from Saint Joseph Academy in Schenectady, he attended college at Siena College in Loudonville. He entered seminary at Saint Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore in 1951. After graduating in 1953, he continued at Saint Mary’s Seminary for theological studies until 1957.

Most Reverend Walter P. Kellenberg ordained Father Lamitie on May 18, 1957, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg.

After ordination, Father Lamitie served as parochial assistant at Saint Andrew’s Church in Sackets Harbor, Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg, Notre Dame Church in Malone, Saint John’s Church in Plattsburgh and Saint Anthony’s Church in Watertown.

Father Lamitie stayed on at Saint Anthony’s Church to serve as pastor from 1963 to 1969. He then served as pastor of Saint Brendan’s Church in Keene for two years and then eight years at Saint John in the Wilderness. He loved the Adirondacks and was a great supporter in the formation and early years of Camp Guggenheim and served as Camp Director for eight years. During this time, he was appointed to a five-year term as Pro-Synodal Judge of the Diocesan Tribunal.

In 1979, Father Lamitie was named pastor of Saint Patrick’s Church in Brasher Falls. He was named pastor of Saint Agnes Church in Lake Placid in 1985. After a short time as administrator of Saint Bartholomew’s Church in Old Forge in 1988, he served as chaplain at Bare Hill Correctional Facility for eleven years followed by two years at Adirondack Correctional Facility.

Father Lamitie retired in 2001 but remained active serving as chaplain at the Federal Correctional Institute, Ray Brook until 2006 and as temporary administrator of Saint Patrick’s Church in Port Henry and the Church of All Saints in Mineville. He spent his later years in Florida with the support of his friend, Kit, and companionship of Carley, his dog that managed to make a hospital visit prior to his death.

Father Lamitie was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Reverend James Lamitie, who also served as a faithful priest of the Diocese of Ogdensburg.

Arrangements are in the care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, Saranac Lake, 518-891-3613.