Raymond J. Crowe

Rev. Raymond Joseph Crowe, O.M.I., 95, died on June 12, 2021 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence in Tewksbury, MA. He was a son of the late John and Anna (O'Loughlin) Crowe. He was preceded in death by four brothers, John, Brendan, Gerald, and Robert as well as one sister, Dorothy Dosdorian.

Fr. Crowe was born in Lowell, Massachusetts. He attended Sacred Heart elementary school and Keith Academy. Following high school, he attended Oblate Colleges in Newburgh, New York and Washington, D.C. earning a master's degree in Divinity. Prior to entering the seminary, Fr. Crowe served honorably in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Fr. Crowe entered the Oblate Novitiate in Ipswich, Massachusetts on September 7, 1948 and professed his first vows on September 8, 1949. He professed perpetual vows on September 8, 1952 in Essex, New York. On May 30, 1954, he was ordained to the priesthood in Washington, D.C. by Bishop Louis-Eugène-Arsène Turquetil, O.M.I.

Following ordination, Fr. Crowe's first assignment was to the missions in Brazil where he spent seven years, 1955 to 1962, and where he ministered again from 1966 to 1968. He was a hospital chaplain in Indianapolis, Indiana and West Jefferson, Ohio from 1965 to 1986. In 1972, he served on the Propagation of the Faith in the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio. Over the years, he did parish ministry serving as Associate Pastor or Pastor in parishes located in Douglas, Georgia; Chattahoochee, Opa Locka, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida. In 2001, he traveled to the Philippines on sabbatical.

In 2005, Fr. Crowe, joined the community at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence in Tewksbury, Massachusetts where he remained until his death. He did return to Florida, however, on many occasions to assist at various parishes while residing at St. Stephen's Parish in Miramar.

In addition to his Oblate family, he is survived by many nieces and nephews and their families, with whom he shared many happy occasions.

Services and calling hours will be in the Chapel at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence, 486 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, Massachusetts. Calling hours will be on June 17, 2021 from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 4:15 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on June 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Interment with military honors will take place at the Oblate Cemetery. Face masks will be required at all services if you are unvaccinated.

Donations in memory of Fr. Crowe may be made to the Oblate Infirmary Fund, 48 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876.