Holy Cross, Diocese of Fall River, announce death of local priest who once served as Chaplain for Los Angeles Dodgers

NORTH EASTON, MA – Holy Cross Family Ministries and the Diocese of Fall River have announced the sudden passing of Father Wilfred “Willy” J. Raymond, C.S.C., President Emeritus. On Monday, while visiting the Holy Cross Community in Bennington, Vermont, Father Willy peacefully entered into the joy of eternal life.

A native of Old Town, Maine, and the eighth of twelve children, Father Willy’s life was defined by a profound sense of family and faith. He joined the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1964 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1971. A scholar and a pastor, he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Stonehill College (1967) and a master’s in Theology from the University of Notre Dame (1971).

Father Willy’s ministry spanned more than five decades of diverse service. He served in campus ministry and leadership at Stonehill College (1979-1992) and in Holy Cross provincial leadership (1994-2000). In 2000, he moved to Hollywood, California, where he served for 14 years as the National Director of Family Theater Productions, evangelizing through modern media. He returned to North Easton in 2014 to serve as President of Holy Cross Family Ministries until 2022.

A gifted communicator conversant in English, French, and Spanish, Father Willy was a tireless advocate for the legacy of his friend and predecessor, Venerable Patrick Peyton. He traveled the globe revitalizing the message that “the family that prays together stays together.” Known for his joyful spirit, he remained a diehard fan of the Boston Red Sox, even while famously serving as the Chaplain for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“Father Willy accompanied many couples and families, and proposed regular family prayer as a glue to keep family members together,” said Father Fred Jenga, C.S.C., President of Holy Cross Family Ministries. “He knew how to make friends and how to keep them. As a leader of the organization we inherited, he taught all to be ‘humble, hungry, and smart’ in their ministry.”

Holy Cross Family Ministries invites all the faithful to join in praying a Rosary for the repose of Father Willy’s soul and in gratitude for his years of service.

Funeral arrangements are the following:

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Visitation 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm EST 

Vigil Service at 7:30 pm EST

at the Chapel of Mary, Stonehill College

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24

Funeral Mass 10:30 am EST 

at the Holy Cross Parish, 225 Purchase St., S. Easton, MA

Burial immediately following the Mass
at Holy Cross Cemetery, Stonehill College

Reception after the burial at
The Father Peyton Center

518 Washington St., N. Easton, MA

If you can’t attend in person,
you may watch the Funeral Mass live online by clicking here.