HALLIGAN, RAYMOND FERRER, O.P.
Jubilarian

Born: Sep 2, 1933
Professed: Aug 16, 1954
Ordained: Jun 16, 1960
Died: Mar 18, 2016

Father Raymond Ferrer Halligan, O.P. died peacefully on Friday, March 18, 2016, at the Mount St. Rita Health Center in Cumberland, RI, at the age of 82. Fr. Halligan served the Church with great dedication particularly at LaSalle College where he ministered for over 34 years. He is survived by three generations of nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Fr. Nicholas Halligan, O.P., also a son of the Province of St. Joseph, as well as John E. and William V Halligan.

Father Halligan was born September 2, 1933 in Fall River, MA, to Francis Joseph Halligan and Anna Elizabeth (née Connors) Halligan and named Raymond Francis. He was their fourth son. He attended Sacred Heart School in Fall River and La Salle Academy in Providence, RI. He enrolled in Providence College in 1951 as a preparatory student for the Dominican Order.

He entered the Dominican Novitiate in August of 1953 at St. Stephen’s Priory in Dover, MA and received the religious name Ferrer. He made his first profession at St. Stephen’s on August 16, 1954 and his solemn profession at Sea Bright, NJ, on August 16, 1957. He studied philosophy at St. Rose in Springfield, KY, and St. Stephen’s Priory, MA, and then theology at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception (PFIC) in Washington, DC. On June 16, 1960, he was ordained a priest at St. Dominic’s Church in Washington, DC, by Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi, Apostolic Delegate to the United States.

In 1961, after completing an STL at the PFIC, Fr. Halligan was assigned to Holy Name Priory in Philadelphia with residence at La Salle College where he would teach for the next 34 years. While there he taught philosophy, theology, and Sacred Scripture. He also served as Chaplain of the University, a member of the Faculty Senate, Moderator of Athletics, and Chaplain to the men's and women's basketball teams.

In 1976, while he continued teaching at La Salle, he was asked to move into Holy Name Priory to help “enhance the spirit and observe of the house.” During his years of teaching, he also served the province on the Personnel Board of the Province, on Steering and Strategic Planning Committee, and as Director of Continuing Formation.

In 1995, Fr. Halligan retired from La Salle University and was assigned to the Priory of St. Vincent Ferrer in New York City, where he would serve for the next 20 years. While in New York, he served the Province as editor of the New Digest, Director of the Dominican Friars Guilds, Provincial Director of Advancement, and Chair of the Province’s Web Oversight Committee, as well as a member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the Dominican Foundation. He also served the Priory of St. Vincent Ferrer as Sub-prior and Economic Administrator, and supported Providence College as Chaplin of the New York Area Alumni Club.

Father Halligan had a love of life both religiously and personally. He had a positive influence and impact on his family, friends and former students, performing many of their Marriages and Baptizing their children and presiding over anniversary celebrations.
He loved travel and golf, continuing to be a member of North Hills Country Club in Philadelphia.

A wake will be held for Fr. Halligan at Beecher Flooks Funeral Home, Pleasantville, NY, on the evening of March 22. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Holy Innocents Church, Pleasantville, NY at 9:00 am on March 23. Very Rev. Kenneth Letoile, O.P. was the principle celebrant and Rev. David Folsey, O.P. was the preacher. Interment followed in All Souls Cemetery, Pleasantville, NY.