Fr. Raymond Joseph Duffy

He attended elementary school in Buncrana, Ireland, and at Blessed Sacrament School in Hollywood, CA. After his family moved to Lemoore, CA, he entered Fresno's Ryan Seminary at age 15, and went on to St. John's Seminary in Camarillo, CA. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest by Bishop Neil Farren in Derry, Ireland, on April 28, 1968, and served in the Diocese of Fresno for 47 years.

As a priest, Fr. Ray's first assignments were at St. Helen's Catholic Church and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fresno. He served many years in the Eastern Sierras at St. Ann's, Ridgecrest, Santa Rosa, Lone Pine, Furnace Creek Station, Death Valley, Independence, St. Vivian, Mission, St. Stephen Mission, Big Pine and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bishop. On the western side of the mountains, he served in St. Aloysius, Tulare, CA, Holy Family, Kingsburg, CA, and St. Ann's in Riverdale, CA. His final assignment prior to retirement was in Yosemite Park at Our Lady of the Snows.

Fr. Ray is remembered for his generosity to the poor, compassion for others, his love of being a priest, and his unique sense of humor. He loved Ireland, music, desserts, cowboy movies, any cowboy movie, and dogs, especially Buddy.

Fr. Duffy was preceded in death by his parents, Peter Leo and Mary Bridget O'Doherty Duffy; and his brothers, William Leo and John Patrick Duffy.

Fr. Duffy is survived by a large extended family in Ireland, Canada, and the United States.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Sunday, August 9, 2015, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. followed by a Vigil Service at 4:00 p.m.

A Mass of Chirstian Burial will be held at St. John's Cathedral on Monday, August 10, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery.

Remembrances may be made to the Priests' Retirement Fund at Roman Catholic Diocese of Frenso, 1550 N. Fresno St., Fresno, CA 93703.