t 1:00 p.m. on October 13, a hush fell over the Xaverian Brothers High
School campus. Over 1,100 students, faculty, and staff gathered outside in
silence. With bowed heads and clasped hands, young men in grades seven
through twelve stood along both sides of the school’s driveway, from the
main lobby doors all the way to the Varsity Baseball Field. They waited
for the body of Brother Raymond Hoyt, C.F.X. ’70, to be delivered home to Xaverian.
The hearse drove slowly through the assembled honor guard to the main entrance, where
student pallbearers carried Brother Ray into the Josephine M. Noble Chapel. It was an
intimate and poignant tribute to the man who influenced generations of young men,
faculty, and Xaverian families.
Brother Raymond was a much beloved teacher and Assistant Principal at Xaverian for
over 20 years. He was a mentor and a one-man welcoming committee. Whether it was the
well-timed laugh or a bit of sound advice, Brother Ray had the ability to make anyone feel
at home and appreciated. His affection for the students and dedication to Xaverian was
palpable.
Brother Ray retired last spring, after his battle with ALS took away his voice. He died
on October 9, only 15 months after being diagnosed with the ravaging disease. The wake
was held here at Xaverian, and was attended by more than 1,000 friends, family, co-
workers, and alumni. Brother Ray was buried the following day at the Brothers’ cemetery
on the grounds of St. John’s Prep.
“Though we are sad and miss Brother Ray a great deal,” said Headmaster Brother
Daniel Skala, C.F.X., “we take comfort in the knowledge that he is at peace now, in the
hands of our loving Lord. Thank you for the outpouring of support from the Xaverian
community, from the hundreds who offered encouragement as Brother Ray battled ALS,
to the hundreds more who waited in the long line at his wake to offer condolences. The
spirit of the Xaverian community was evident, and appreciated.”
At the annual gala in March of 2017, the Board of Trustees honored Brother Ray with
a scholarship fund in his name. If you would like to make a gift to his scholarship fund,
you may do so on the Brother Raymond Hoyt, C.F.X. ’70 Scholarship Fund webpage, at
www.xbhs.com/brother-ray-scholarship.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO
Brother Raymond Hoyt, C.F.X. ’70
Fall 2017 Xaverian Magazine 7