O’TOOLE, REV. RAYMOND LESLIE On Saturday, January 5, 2019, Fr. Ray O’Toole, a priest of the Scarboro Foreign Mission Society, passed away in hospital, after a brief illness.
Born in Alder Point Cape Breton, NS on November 1, 1938, son of Raymond and Mary Helen O’Toole. He is survived by his sisters Dean Power, Glace Bay, Florence McNeil and Shirley (Clyde) MacQuarrie, Alder Point; sisters-in-law Anne (O’Toole) Musgrave, North Sydney and Marjorie O’Toole, Pictou, brothers-in-law Barry MacIntyre, Sydney Mines; and many nieces, nephews and numerous cousins. Also his close friend and cousin Reg Bonar. Beside his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers Francis, Aussie and Bobby and sister Lenore MacIntyre, brothers-in-law Allison Power and Earl McNeil and many nieces and nephews.
Growing up in Alder Point, he entered the Scarboro Missions novitiate in 1957, studied Philosophy and Theology at St. Augustine’s Seminary (1958-64) was ordained a missionary priest for Scarboro in August 1963, by Bishop William Power of Antigonish Diocese. Appointed in 1964 to Scarboro’s Mission in Brazil, Ray served there until 1968, returning to Canada to study for his Licentiate in Theology (St. Paul’s University Ottawa) and later studies (1977-80) at University of St. Michael’s College (TST) Doctorate of Ministry degree. In the early 70’s Ray served several years in Scarboro’s Mission in St. Vincent, West Indies, then Scarboro’s Mission Information Department, Justice and Peace Office and in 1985 as Director of Field Education at the Toronto School of Theology. In 1988, Ray began a new mission, serving in Hong Kong, as Research Associate at the Holy Spirit Study Centre. In 1997, Ray was elected to a five-year term on Scarboro’s General Council, after which he returned to Hong Kong, to be appointed Secretary General to the Federation of Asian Bishops (FABC), a position he served until returning to Canada.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated January 9th at 11:00 a.m. at Presentation Manor, 61 Fairfax Crescent, Toronto, ON (one block north of the Warden Subway Station.), Saturday, January 12th at 10:30 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at: St. Joseph’s Parish, Little Bras d’Or, Cape Breton, NS.
The community of Scarboro Missions wishes to express our deepest gratitude for all the care extended to Ray in Hong Kong, by the Focolare community, St. Paul’s Hospital staff and to the Jesuit community and staff in Pickering, ON. May he rest in Peace having served Christ and his mission faithfully to the end.