Diocese announces sudden passing of priest with ties to Fall River, Somerset, Boston, Wareham, Taunton, New Bedford

The Diocese of Fall River has announced that Rev. Martin L. Buote, 90, a retired priest of the Diocese of Fall River, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, at the Cardinal Medeiros Residence for Retired Priests.

A brilliant man, he was an expert in physics, philosophy, poetry, theology, mathematics, horticulture, literature and cooking. His passion for growing orchids included grafting new species, including registering his “Sean O’Malley” orchid. A connoisseur of authentic Chinese cuisine, he often prepared multi-course Chinese meals for friends and volunteers of his parishes.

Having participated in an Alzheimer’s longitudinal study since 2004 with Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Fr. Buote’s mental acuity is now the standard used for elderly mental clarity.

Born in Fall River and raised in Somerset, he was a graduate of Somerset High School and then studied at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. Father Buote enrolled at the School of St. Philip Neri in Boston and attended Cardinal O’Connell Minor Seminary and St. John’s Seminary in Brighton.

He was ordained to the Priesthood on Jan. 30, 1960, and continued his studies at Boston College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in physics in 1964.

He served at many parishes throughout the Diocese and finally at St. Anne Parish in New Bedford for 24 years, retiring on June 30, 2004. He also served as Director for the Boy Scouts of Taunton and Fall River. Following retirement, he assisted at Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, both in New Bedford, and at St. Patrick in Wareham.

Father Buote frequently submitted articles to The Anchor and Standard-Times newspapers. He often responded to stories in the Southcoast Opinion pages, offering his theological viewpoint. He was published in several scientific journals. His final transcript is to be published on the Fourth Gospel posthumously.

He leaves nieces, nephews and many friends. He was the son of the late John A. and Margaret (Martin) Buote and the brother of the late Francis, Arthur and Edward Buote.

His Funeral Mass will be held Monday, March 11, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick’s Church, Somerset.

Visitation will be held at the church prior to the Funeral Mass from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM. Burial at St. Patrick Cemetery, Somerset will immediately follow Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center in remembrance of Rev. Martin Buote. (Checks may be made payable to “Trustees of Boston University” and indicate in the memo of the check or with an attached note, the donation is “for the Hope Study”, via the Clinical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases Fund.) Mail to: Boston University Development Gift Processing P.O. Box 22605, New York, NY 10087-2605. Donations may also be made to the Diocese of Fall River / Office of Youth Evangelization, 450 Highland Ave. Fall River, MA 02720.