Father Raymond J. Mahar 1932-2024

Father Raymond J. Mahar, a retired priest of the Diocese of Buffalo, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024.

The son of Raymond and Frances Mahar was born April 27, 1932, in North Tonawanda. He attended St Francis of Assisi School in Tonawanda, Canisius High School in Buffalo and Canisius College in Buffalo. He furthered his education at the Diocesan Preparatory Seminary, and St. Bonaventure University, where he earned a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Sacred Theology. He went to attend the University of Louvain, Belgium, where he earned a master’s in Religious Science; the University of Grenoble, France; the University of Cologne, Germany; and the University of Vienna, Austria.

Father Mahar was ordained June 29, 1958, in Louvain, Belgium.

His ministry included parish work and education. Father Mahar served as an administrator of St. Mark’s, Rushford; assistant pastor of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Buffalo; assistant pastor of Our Lady of Pompeii, Lancaster; teacher at Bishop Turner High School, Buffalo; assistant pastor at Holy Spirit Parish, Buffalo; teacher at Bishop Fallon High School; teacher and chaplain at Cardinal Dougherty High School in Buffalo; advocate for Diocesan Marriage Tribunal; professor at Bishop Timon High School in Buffalo; weekend assistant at St. Lawrence, Buffalo; associate pastor of SS. Peter & Paul, Williamsville; associate pastor St. Margaret, Buffalo; associate at St. Bonaventure in West Seneca; parochial vicar, St. Margaret in Buffalo. In 1992, he was named chaplain at Our Lady of Victory Hospital in Lackawanna.

He retired in 2002.

Father Mahar will lie in-repose on Friday, July 26, from 3-7 p.m. at St. Margaret Parish, 1395 Hertel Ave., Buffalo. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 27, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 73 Adam St., Tonawanda with Bishop Michael W. Fisher as the main celebrant.