PERMANENT DEACON RAYMOND C. WELLBANK
1951 – 2017

Deacon Raymond C. Wellbank, a permanent deacon released to outside service to the Archdiocese of Boston, died on Saturday, December 9, 2017, as a result of a heart attack. Deacon Wellbank was born on October 1, 1951. He was 66 years old.

Deacon Wellbank was born in Philadelphia, PA. He was the son of the late Raymond J. and Florence (Picciani) Wellbank. He has three sisters: Peg Christensen; Joan Neumann; and Kathy Wellbank. Deacon Welbank and his wife Patricia (nee Carty) were married on February 18, 1984. They have four adult children: Rachel A. Ford; Monica K. Hooper; Michelle A. Vance; and Philip R. Wellbank. They also have six grandchildren.

Deacon Welbank resided in Gloucester, MA since May, 2015. He and his wife previously resided in Harleysville, PA. Deacon Welbank graduated from Cardinal O’Hara High School in Philadelphia, in 1969. He went onto West Chester University where he received his Bachelor’s degree in business in 1973. He also received a Master’s Degree from DeSales University in 1995. Deacon Wellbank worked for over 12 years until his retirement in 2015, as a fiscal analyst for PHMC, a nonprofit corporation.

Deacon Wellbank was ordained by His Eminence, Cardinal Justin Rigali, on June 2, 2007, at the Cathedral-Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia. He was assigned to Saint Stanislaus Parish, Lansdale, where he remained until May, 2015. At that time, based on his move to Gloucester, MA, he was released to outside service to the Archdiocese of Boston, where he remained until his death.

The reception of the body and viewing will take place on Friday, December 15, 2017, at 3:00 PM, at Holy Family Parish at Saint Ann Church, 142 Prospect Street, Gloucester, MA. The Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2017, at 11:00 AM. The funeral arrangements will be handled by the Archdiocese of Boston.