Fr Ray McNicholas SSC

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Fr Ray McNicholas (1924 - 2009)

Father Raymond J. McNicholas, SSC, entered into eternal rest on September 21, 2009 at the Mercy South Nursing Facility in Lackawana, New York.   He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Walter McNicholas, brother of Rev. Walter McNicholas O.S.A., Rosemary (late Thomas) Morris, Helen (Leonard) Marszalek and the late Mark McNicholas.

Ray was born on April 22, 1924 in Chicago, IL, and went to grade school and Quigley Prep. Seminary.  He joined the Columban Father’s in 1939 to pursue studies at St. Columban’s Junior Seminary in Silver Creek, New York, from 1939 to 1943.  He completed his formal studies in 1949, and was ordained on December 17, 1949 in St Cecilia’s Cathedral, Omaha, NE.
 
Fr. Ray was appointed to the Philippines in the fall of 1950 and began work as chaplain.   In 1955 he was appointed priest in charge of Malate until his return to the U.S. in 1957.
 
He was assigned to work in Mission Education for the Columban Fathers in 1958 and was appointed Spiritual Director in Silver Creek.  In August 1960 he began related work in Chicago, Silver Creek and Derby and in May 1971, Fr. Ray was appointed superior of the Derby house.
 
In May 1976 he was assigned to Westminster parish as Associate Pastor and then to Holy Family parish in the Virgin Islands, in April 1978.  He returned to Bristol, RI, and assumed the role of superior in February of 1980, serving three consecutive terms.  He was also chaplain to Salve Regina Girls College in New Port, RI, during this time.
 
In June 1994 he was assigned to St. Bernadette’s parish in Buffalo and celebrated his Golden Jubilee in 1999.  He remained at St. Bernadette’s until he retired to St. Columban’s on the Lake in Silver Creek, NY, in April 2008.
 
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, September 25 at 10am, St. Bernadette’s Roman Catholic Church.  Burial followed at 2:30pm, St. Columban’s on the Lake Cemetery, 2546 Lake Road, Silver Creek, NY.

May he new rest in Peace