D. Michel Michaud

A professional musician, Michel was an organist, music director, choir director, composer, arranger and lyricist.

Born in Salem, he was the son of the late Henri and Odile (Jalbert) Michaud. He grew up in the Castle Hill Section of Salem and graduated from Ste. Anne’s Parochial School. He then graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy, Class of 1970, and from the Boston Conservatory of Music, where he had a double major in Organ and Composition.

His first music lessons were from the Sisters of Ste. Chretienne at the former Ste. Chretienne Academy. In 1967 he started assisting the late Rose Levesque at Ste. Anne’s Church. He played one Mass on the weekend. Shortly after Rose retired and Michel took over as organist and music director for the parish. He later did the same at St. Joseph’s Church, Salem and at St. Mary’s Church, Marlboro. In 1981 he became Music Director/Organist/Choir Director at St. Joseph’s Church, Lynn. He held that position for over 40 years and retired on January 1, 2022, after playing the 10AM Holyday Mass.

During the 1980’s Michel served as the Chairman of the Restoration Committee which oversaw the fundraising and the painting of the interior of St. Joseph’s Church. Over the years he and the Choir worked on several parish bazaars and fundraisers.

He was a longtime member of the American Guild of Organists. He enjoyed writing poetry. For several years the Massachusetts Poetry Society published one of his poems in their annual book.

An avid genealogist, he worked on his family tree and researched hundreds of Salem French-Canadians and their families. In 2005 he founded the Franco-American Institute of Salem. It was incorporated on February 16, 2006. They are dedicated to preserving and promoting the history, genealogy, and culture of the Franco-American community of greater Salem. Michel served as President and was editor/writer of the tri-annual La Revue de Salem. He was a longtime member of the American-Canadian Genealogical Society of Manchester, NH.

He leaves his partner of 46 years John Kobuszewski, his sister Jeanne LeVasseur and her husband Ronald of Ipswich, and his nieces Danielle LeBlanc and her husband Kenneth, Lisa LeVasseur and Amy LeVasseur. He was also the great-uncle of Dustin Healey and Sarah Healey and leaves several cousins.

His funeral Mass will be held on Monday, March 30th at 11 AM in Ste. Anne’s Church, 290 Jefferson Avenue, Salem. Visiting hours in the Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home 157 Maple Street, Lynn on Sunday March 29th from 2 PM to 5 PM. Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Those who wish may make donations to the Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Avenue, Salem, MA 01970. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cuffemcginn.com