Bishop Raymond Lessard, the bishop emeritus of Savannah, has served at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach for the past twenty years as a spiritual director and professor of ecclesiology. On Sunday January 3rd, the Epiphany of the Lord, he was called home to the Father and can finally rest his weary body.

Bishop Lessard was born in Grafton, North Dakota on December 21, 1930. He attended the St. Paul Seminary in Minnesota before studying theology at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He was ordained a priest on December 16, 1956 and remained in Rome serving in multiple capacities. He was then ordained the Bishop of Savannah on April 27, 1973 where he shepherded until his retirement in 1995. St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary has been proud to have him as a spiritual father on campus since the fall of 1995 for both the seminarians and the faculty alike.

Bishop Lessard will be remembered for his quick mind, good counsel, and keen sense of humor. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him!

A wake will be held from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at St. Vincent de Paul Seminary, 10701 S Military Trail, Boynton Beach, FL 33436.  A Funeral Mass will follow, celebrated by Bishop Gregory Hartmayer of Savannah.  On Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 12:00 PM, his Funeral Liturgy and Burial will be held at the Cathedral in Savannah, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in his name.