North Easton, Mass. – Rev. Wilfred Joseph Raymond, C.S.C., 81, died on February 16, 2026.
Fr. Raymond, C.S.C., was born in Old Town, Maine, on March 5, 1944, to Joseph and Lydia (Belanger) Raymond and is the eighth of twelve children. In 1964, he entered the Congregation of Holy Cross and made his First Vows on July 16, 1966. In 1967, he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Stonehill College in North Easton, Mass., and in 1971, he earned a Master in Theology (M.Th.) from the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Ind. He made Final Vows on April 1, 1970, and was ordained a Holy Cross priest on April 3, 1971.
After ordination in 1971, Fr. Raymond taught at St. Joseph’s High School in South Bend, Ind., before he transferred to teach and coach at Notre Dame High School in Fairfield, Conn., from 1972-1974. Beginning in 1974, he served as director of vocations for the Eastern Province of Priests and Brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross for the next five years. From 1979-1992, he served in campus ministry at Stonehill College in North Easton, Mass. During this time, he also served as director of Candidate Program, director of Holy Cross Center, assistant Dean of Students, and director of Residence Life. In addition, he served on the Board of Trustees of King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Penn., and Stonehill College, and on the Board of Directors of Holy Cross Family Ministries. From 1993-1994, he served as pastor of Saint Francis de Sales Parish in Bennington, Vt. From 1994-1998, he was assigned as assistant provincial, vicar for the Eastern Province, before serving as provincial from 1998-2000. In 2000, he moved to Hollywood, Calif., to serve as national director of Family Theater Productions until 2014. From 2014-2022, he served as president of Holy Cross Family Ministries in North Easton, Mass., before residing and assisting at Stonehill College until his passing.
Fr. Raymond received the Genesis Award for outstanding service on the Board of Trustees of Stonehill College in 2000. He was also presented with the Magis Award from the Loyola Marymount University and Religious Education Congress in Anaheim for outstanding service to the film community in Hollywood and Los Angeles. Fr. Raymond has worked with various community organizations, including the Brockton Interfaith Community in Massachusetts and Catholic Detention Ministry in California. The book, “The Family That Prays Together Stays Together: A Bead-by-Bead Family Guide through the Mysteries,” written by Fr. Raymond, guides parents and families on how to pray and reflect on the mysteries of the Rosary. He was a diehard fan of the Boston Red Sox, even though he served as chaplain for the Los Angeles Dodgers through the Catholic Athletes for Christ (CAC) during the time he lived in California.
Fr. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Ramona King, Winifred Searle, Theresa Ouellette, Alfreda Mower, and brothers Ovilla, Romeo, and Octave. He is survived by his brothers Deacon Hector, Edmund, Richard, and Gerald, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February, 2026, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. with a Wake Service starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Mary located on the Stonehill College campus in North Easton, Mass. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 24, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Parish in South Easton, Mass. You may also join us via livestream at https://holycrosseaston.org/masses.
Burial will be in the Holy Cross Community Cemetery in Easton, Mass. Kane Funeral Home, Easton, is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial contributions in support of the mission and ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross can be made to: United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Office of Advancement, 500 Washington Street, North Easton, MA 02356-1299 or online at https://donate.holycrossusa.org.
