Obituary of Msgr. Raymond Montague
February 24, 1934 – June 2, 2018
Father Ray was the consummate priest, the kindest of souls and a loving example to all of us on how to live our lives. He quietly touched and had a huge impact on many people and he will be sadly missed by his loving family, fellow clergy & all those parishioners whom he served for 58 years. As Ray has said many times, “No more Pain. No more suffering. No more death”
Father Ray was born to Marguerite and Joseph Montague. Dear brother to the late Catherine (the late Jay) Doody, the late Bernice (Bill) Dann, Pauline (Charlie) Galambos, Joe (Marlene) Montague, Lorraine (John) Sciamonte, Mike (Linda) Montague, Debbie (Dave) Hubbard. Father Ray is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Father Ray grew up as a member of Star of the Sea Church, attended St. Anns Grade School and Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School. Active in local sports where he excelled in lacrosse, rowing and hockey. Always a Leaf fan! Upon graduation from Notre Dame, he attended St. Augustine Seminary, Toronto with his good friend Msgr. Dominic Pizzacalla. Ray was ordained May 28, 1960 by Bishop Thomas McCarthy. Throughout his vocation he served in 10 parishes in the Diocese of St. Catharines. Ray spent 3 years in the Philippines with the Scarboro Foreign Missionaries. Father Ray briefly taught religion at Denis Morris Catholic Secondary School and was noted for composing and presenting daily brief inspirational radio messages entitled “Above All Else” on CHSC Radio Station. He was proficient in sign language and involved with the hearing impaired.
Father Ray served in the following parishes: St. Kevin 1960-1965, Our Lady of the Scapular 1965-1966, St. Catherine of Alexandria 1966-1968 and 1971-1974, St. Ann 1968-1971, Philippines 1974-1977, St. Stephen 1977-1978, St. Mary of the Assumption 1978-1989, St. Kevin 1989-1995, St. Vincent de Paul 1995-2001, St. Michael 2001-2004, Sacred Heart 2004-2008. On Aug. 1, 2008 Father Ray served as Chaplain at Mount Carmel Residence and assisted with mass at Hotel Dieu Shaver Hospital. Many thanks to the Carmelite Sisters and the caring staff at Linhaven Home who were so kind to our Ray.
Arrangements are entrusted with the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME (905) 937-4444. Friends and family are welcome to ST. ALFRED ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 272 Vine St., St. Catharines on Friday, June 8, 2018 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. with Vigil Prayers being held at 8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will take place at the church on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 10 a.m. Rite of Committal will follow in the Priests’ Plot at Victoria Lawn Cemetery, Queenston St., St. Catharines. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Holy Family Children’s Home in Bethlehem.
If you will be joining the family to the cemetery please make sure to bring an umbrella, as it is forecasted to rain.
The family of
Father “Msgr.” Raymond Montague
Wish to extend their many thanks to Father Hugh Gibson. It is now Fr. Hugh’s turn to take Ray under his wing for Father Ray’s return home. Thank you to St. Alfred Church, Choir Coordinator, Soloist and parishioners, Bishops Bergie, O’Mara, Tonnos and Kirkpatrick, Clergy, Deacons and Sisters. We would also like to thank the ladies from the CWL for their kindness in providing the wonderful food for the reception as well as the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard. A special thank you to a friend of 70 years, Msgr. Dominic Pizzacalla for the Vigil Prayers. We also send our gratitude and appreciation to the staff at the Carmelite Home, Linhaven as well as the Philippine Community for their wonderful care and friendship. Thank you as well to the staff at the George Darte Funeral Home for their extraordinary direction and compassion throughout this difficult time. To all those who had given us flowers, donated towards the Holy Family Children’s Home in Bethlehem or those who just sent their love and prayers we hold you all dearly in our hearts.
