Monsignor Ray Crosier

“Through Christ-is Everything. With Christ-is peace.  In Christ-is Love.” – cover of Prayer Card from the Ordination Mass for Father Raymond R. Crosier, September 8, 1975

Monsignor Raymond R. “Ray” Crosier, one of three men from Barre, Vermont, who served as priests for the Diocese of Amarillo, passed away on October 12, 2017.  He was 71 years old.

Rosary will be said at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 15, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 4122 S. Bonham Street. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 16, 2017 at St. Mary Cathedral, 1200 S. Washington, with Bishop Patrick J. Zurek, presiding, with priests of the Diocese of Amarillo, concelebrating. Father Anthony Neusch, pastor of St. Anthony’s Church, Hereford, will be the eulogist. An additional funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Monica’s Church in Barre, Vermont. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Duxbury, Vermont. Arrangements by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia.

Raymond Rufino Crosier was born July 31, 1946, the second of three children born to Joseph Adolf and Carmelita Mary Meir Crosier. After attending St. Monica’s Elementary School in Barre, he graduated from Marian Catholic High School in Barre in 1966.  After graduation, Crosier attended St. John Vianney Minor Seminary in Barre from 1966 to 1968 and St. Mary’s Seminary in St. Mary’s, Kentucky, from 1970 to 1973, where he received a Bachelor Degree in Philosophy. He finished his studies at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmittsburg, Maryland, with a Masters in Divinity in Theology.

On September 8, 1975, Ray Crosier was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Amarillo by then-Bishop Lawrence M. DeFalco at St. Monica’s Church in Barre. He was then assigned to St. Laurence Church as associate pastor as the parish began its transition into the second Cathedral Church for the diocese. On January 7, 1978, Father Crosier was appointed pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Perryton and its mission, St. Peter’s Church in Booker, while also serving as pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Spearman. He would remain at those three parishes until his appointment as pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Dalhart and its mission, St. Mary’s Church in Texline.

After 17 years in the northern portion of the Texas Panhandle, Father Crosier was named pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Groom on July 1, 1995. He would remain there until 1997, when he was named pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Amarillo. He was also named the first Vicar of Catholic Schools by then-Bishop John W. Yanta. While at St. Joseph’s Church, Father Crosier became Monsignor Crosier when he was named a Prelate of Honor by St. John Paul II on May 21, 1999. After six years at St. Joseph’s, Monsignor Crosier was named pastor of St. Hyacinth’s Church in Amarillo, where he remained until he was granted retirement by Bishop Patrick J. Zurek on September 1, 2011 because of health reasons.

Monsignor Crosier was preceded in death by his mother and father; and a sister, Ruth Mary Crosier. With Monsignor Crosier’s passing, the service of the trio of priests from St. Monica’s Church in Barre for the Diocese of Amarillo has ceased. Preceding Monsignor Crosier in death were Father Fern Couture, s.P., who passed away September 9, 2003 and Monsignor Joseph Tash, who passed away May 21, 2012.

Survivors include a brother, Joseph Crosier Jr. of Barre, VT; a nephew, Michael Quaranta and his wife Laura of Albany, NY; a niece, Tiffany Quaranta of Barre, VT; four great-nieces, Norah Quaranta and Gianna Quaranta, both of Albany and Mia and Gemma Rutigilano, both of Barre, VT; and many friends.

Condolences may be shared at www.schoolerfuneralhome.com.