Remembering Brother Ray

The Xaverian Brothers High School community is deeply saddened that Brother Raymond Hoyt, C.F.X. ’70 passed away on October 9. Brother Ray was a longtime and much beloved assistant principal at Xaverian Brothers High School who retired in May 2017. It was just fifteen months ago that Brother Ray was diagnosed with ALS, and we saw the debilitating effects of this disease. Brother Ray was profoundly grateful for all of the support he received from the Xaverian community. His personal history with Xaverian Brothers High School began in 1966 as a freshman, deepened when he entered the Xaverian Brothers congregation in 1971, and flourished in his more than 20 years as assistant principal. Throughout Brother Ray’s life, he found great consolation in the iconic image of the Child resting in the hands of God. Now Brother Ray is being held by our loving God. 
 
Scripture does not tell us that we should not grieve, but does tell us that our grief is not the final answer. Joy in new life is. That is the gift we try to share with one another as we grieve, because we know that Brother Raymond “lived a good life and finished the race all while keeping the faith. Reserved for him is the crown of righteousness which only God can give.” 
 
We will welcome Brother Raymond back home on Friday afternoon, followed by a wake in the Xaverian chapel from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The funeral Mass will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, at St. Timothy's in Norwood. The burial will be at the Brothers' cemetery in Danvers. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted to the Brother Raymond Hoyt C.F.X. ’70 Scholarship Fund.
 
In times of sorrow like these, when we pray for Brother Ray and his family, there is a solidarity we experience. In our prayer we are reminded that we are not alone; we walk together bound by our membership in the Xaverian community and in our faith. 
 
Thank you for your support and prayers. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Brother Daniel Skala, C.F.X.
Headmaster


The following video was created for the 2017 Gala honoring Brother Raymond Hoyt, C.F.X. ’70, at which the Board of Trustees established a scholarship fund in Brother Ray's name.