Comeau was convicted of indecent assault against two boys from Fort Good Hope, aged 13 and 11, in 1962 and 1963, respectively. He was working as a part-time supervisor at the hall at the time. The hall was a dormitory-style residence for boys aged six to 19 run by the Roman Catholic Church.

Comeau, a bank manager by day, worked at the hall from 4 p.m. until the residents went to bed, occasionally staying overnight.

The court heard that Comeau was alleged to have fondled the boys and then told them not to tell anyone about it.

According to victim impact statements, one boy has suffered from nightmares and has woken up feeling someone was in bed fondling him. He said the assault was a factor in his alcohol abuse and has turned him away from religion. He also stated he felt "ashamed and embarrassed" when he reported the crime to police.

In the second case, the victim said he rarely thought or spoke about the incident. He always thought of Comeau as "a good man," but "never understood why he did this to me." He asked that Comeau formally apologize for the crimes.

Comeau's lawyer, James Brydon, asked for a conditional sentence, house arrest of less than 18 months and electronic monitoring. Brydon described Comeau as "an old, sick, dying man," suffering from a heart condition, emphysema and needing a walker to get around.

He said Comeau had been given five years to live by his doctor and no longer poses a threat to society.

In addition, Brydon argued that Comeau had been in an "emotional prison" for the past 35 years, a greater punishment than any humanity could give him. He added that Comeau couldn't bring himself to confess to his priest because he didn't believe God would forgive him.

Before the sentence came down, Comeau apologized -- indirectly through Brydon -- for any damage he may have done.

Vertes said he realizes "any sentence will likely be seen as deficient in the eyes of the victims," but must take Comeau's failing health into consideration.

The indecent-assault sentences will take effect July 27, when Comeau completes the remainder of a one-year sentence he is serving in Maple Ridge, B.C., for gross indecency. He had also spent six months in prison for one other gross indecency conviction related to incidents that took place about 15 years ago.