Rev. Raymond Francis Skonezny

Fr. Ray was born on May 11, 1929 to Casmer (Kay) and Monica Zimmerman Skonezny. They were both first generation children of parents from Poland, the Zimmermans from Posnan and the Skoneznys from Krakow.  Grandparents and parents were strong believers of God thru their Catholic faith. He like most of his 8 siblings, was born at home in a small town near Connellsville, Pa. located in a coal rich area of Fayette County, Pa. He was the first of nine children.  He attended Trotter Elementary and Dunbar Township High where he was a noted football player and honor student. He joined the navy at 17 spending four years with duty in Alaska and later two years in Yokosuka, Japan as a Naval code operator. While there he read a book about Trappist monks and was so taken by their commitment for life that this may be for him. Upon his discharge from the Navy in March, 1950 he visited the monastery in Huntsville, Utah and being so impressed with the life and location that it led him to becoming a Trappist monk.  This required applying and being accepted at St Mary’s in Kentucky where he spent four years studying philosophy and languages. Upon graduation he was accepted for seminary work in the Trappist community at Our Lady of the Holy Trinity in Huntsville, Utah.  A life of prayer, study, learning multiple languages, hard work and a diet primarily vegetarian he was ordained as Frater M Ignatius, on December 23, 1961. To further his education he was selected by the Abbot in 1962 to go to the Vatican where for four years he had the blessed experience of a student priest that included at this time the historic Vatican Council. In 1966 he returned to Huntsville and the life of a monk with God calling him to the parish world where he entered in 1968.  Frater Ignatius now became Father Ray who everyone loved; Kind, sharing, laughing, crying and praying for all in need. He became a priest in the Orange Diocese and got involved in parish live and movements including an invite into a Cursillo retreat weekend resulting in 24 years as a priest director. This commitment soon led to starting the Orange chapter of the Magnificat with Kathleen Beckman and its teachings of kindness, respect and dignity to all. During this time Fr. Ray was called into deliverance and exorcism that remained part of his life into retirement.

On December 23, 2011 Fr. Ray celebrated 50 years as a priest retiring soon after yet never retiring from his believes in God, the Church, the Blessed Mother, Cursillo, Magnificat, family and friends.. God blessed us all who shared his life and teachings and I know he is in heaven praying for humanity.

As his brother and sister who knew him all our lives, we are thankful that we had the pleasure of some of his time, advise, kindness and love. Thank you God

Family information

Deceased: Father and Mother- Casmer and Monica, brothers, Ronald and Richard, sisters; Regina Carletto, Loretta Axton, Patricia Brzozowski, Claudette Sawyer Kirk, niece, Lisa Carletto

Surviving: sister, Connie and brother, Ed

Nieces, , Jeneene Skonezny Pearce, Jacqui Axton and Monica Carletto, and Nephews,  Joe and Pat Carletto, Tony, Bob and Ronald Brzozowski, Keith Sawyer, David, Paul and Joe Skonezny and families 

Deceased- Niece Dolores Brzozowski, Nephew Richard Sawyer  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rev. Raymond Francis Skonezny, please visit our floral store.