Fr. James Neil Carruthers, CSB

Fr. James Neil Carruthers, CSB, B.A., S.T.B., M.A. Th.M., died peacefully after a brief illness at Michael Garron Hospital on Friday, August 8, 2025. He had been residing at Presentation Manor for Seniors in Scarborough, the retirement home for priests of the Congregation of St. Basil. A Basilian for 72 years, James was 90 years old and in his 62nd year of priestly ministry at his death. He was born in Windsor, Ontario, son of the late Russell Carruthers and Hermina Lauzon. He is predeceased by his one sister, Joyce Howie and her husband the late Ian Howie. Fr. James took great pride in his nephews David (Rosemarie) and Jason (Lia) Howie, and in his grand-nephews, grand-niece and great-grand-nieces.

After attending Sacred Heart elementary school in Windsor, he was a student at the Basilian Fathers Assumption High School. In 1952 he entered the Basilian Fathers Novitiate in Rochester, New York, professing his first vows in August 1953. Three years of secondary school teaching at his Alma Mater in Windsor preceded his studies at the Ontario College of Education where he was awarded a teacher’s certificate. James pursued theological studies for the priesthood at the Grand Séminaire de Québec, the Grand Séminaire de Saint-Sulpice, France and finally at St. Basil’s Seminary in Toronto from where he received a S.T.B. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1963 in Toronto. Later studies included an M.A. in French from Middlebury College in Vermont in 1969 and a Th.M. from the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California in 1977.

Fr. Carruthers had a long, fruitful career in education at many levels, accompanying men and women preparing for religious life and priesthood as well as forming, inspiring and mentoring countless lay persons to be missionary disciples and lay leaders for the Church and for society. He lectured in theology and spirituality at the University of St. Michael's College in Toronto and at Assumption University in Windsor, always emphasizing the theoretical and practical, doctrinal and pastoral, personal and communal dimensions of the Catholic faith and spirituality. He was a well-known retreat director and sought-after Spiritual Director to priests, seminarians and countless consecrated women and men from around the world. Catholic school educators and administrators benefited greatly from his mentorship and accompaniment. He was deeply impacted by the teaching and vision of Pope Francis and lived the ‘Joy of the Gospel’ every day of his priestly ministry.

The concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday August 16, 2025, at 10:30 am in the chapel of Presentation Manor Residence for Seniors, 61 Fairfax Crescent, Scarborough. A reception will follow. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Thornhill. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome in Fr. Carruthers’ memory to the Basilian Fathers Retirement Fund, 146 Davenport Road, Toronto, ON M5R 1J2.