Raymond King
Born In: Evanston, Nova Scotia, Canada
Born: February 25th, 1930
Passed in: SYDNEY, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: March 16th, 2010
Father Raymond Alexander Leo King, Priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antigonish died in Harbourstone Enhanced Care Facility in Sydney on Tuesday, March 16, 2010. He was 80 years of age.
Born in Evanston, Richmond County, Cape Breton on Feb. 25, 1930, he was a son of the late Henry and Marie (Hureau) King. Ray received his BA from St. Francis Xavier University in 1955 and a Masters of Theology from St. Paul’s Seminary, Ottawa in 1959. He also received a Bachelor of Education in 1971 from St. Francis Xavier University.
Ray was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John R. MacDonald on May 23, 1959 at St. Ninian’s Cathedral, Antigonish. He began his priestly ministry in June 1959 as assistant pastor in St. Anthony’s Parish, Glace Bay and continued at Holy Redeemer Parish, Sydney in 1961. Ray was appointed to the staff of St. Pius X Prepatory Seminary, Ottawa in September 1965. During the summers he served at St. Agnes, New Waterford, St. Mary’s, East Bay, Sacred Heart Parish, Sydney and St. Anthony Daniel Parish, Sydney. In 1968 he became parish priest of St. Margaret’s parish, St. Margaret’s Village, N.S. In 1971, he was parish priest at Immaculate Conception, Bridgeport. In 1978, he served as parish priest at St. Joseph’s North Sydney. In 1988, he continued his service as parish priest at St. Agnes, New Waterford. In 1995, he was parish priest at St. John the Baptist, River Bourgeois. He retired from his active priestly duties in 1997 because of ill health.
Fr. Ray is survived by sister, Helen Coakley, Florence, C.B.; brothers, Fred (Cathie), Belleville, Ont., Walter (Betty), Evanston, C.B. and Elmer, Bedford, N.S. He is also survived by nephews, Paul, Douglas, Bruce and Robert King, Paul Coakley, and nieces, Brenda, Raylene, Jane, Lisa, Tracey, Kathy, and Krista King and Debbie, Doreen and Vanda Coakley.
He was predeceased by brother, Paul Henry (Silvia), Belleville, Ont. He was also predeceased by sisters-in-law, Roberta (Elmer King), Bedford, N.S., Elsie (Paul Henry) and brother-in-law, Art Coakley (Helen), Florence, C.B. Fr. Ray enjoyed playing golf, skiing, fishing and playing cards especially bridge.
Visitation will be held at the Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury, on Friday, March 19, from 2-5 p.m. Reception of the body and vigil at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 19 in St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church, Lower River Inhabitants. Everyone is welcome to vigil. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church, Lower River Inhabitants 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Fr. Angus MacDougall V.G. and the priest of the diocese officiating. Burial in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Whiteside.
Special thanks to the caregivers at Harbourstone Enhanced Care Facility, and to all staff members who so faithfully looked after all Fr. Ray’s needs.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia or the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Cemetery Fund, Whiteside.
Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com.
