Reverend Raymond P. Luft

78, Pastor Emeritus of the former Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Providence, died of Covid complications on April 17, 2021.

Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Dr. Raymond Luft and Sadye (Sweeney) Luft, and was preceded in death by his brothers, William and Eric Luft. In preparation for the priesthood, he studied at Our Lady of Providence Seminary, Warwick, and at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore. He was ordained a priest on June 8, 1968.

Father Luft served as an assistant pastor in the following parishes: Saint William, Warwick (1968-76); Blessed Sacrament, Providence (1976-81); and St. Patrick, Valley Falls (1981-1985).

In 1985, he was appointed pastor at St. John Parish, Providence, and served there until 1991, when he was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Providence. Father Luft remained there for 21 years, retiring in 2012 as Pastor Emeritus.

In addition to parish duties, Father Luft served as Deanery Vicar of Deanery #7, Chaplain of the Warwick Fire and Police Departments, Priest Prior of the Knights of Columbus Squires; Chaplain of the Providence Police Department; member of The Legion of Mary and the Diocesan Council of Priests.

When time allowed through the years, Father Luft enjoyed traveling with friends, cooking with the latest kitchen gadget, and the companionship of his German Shepherds. He loved the diverse community at Mt. Carmel Parish and was proud to deliver mass in Spanish. In his retirement, Father Luft lived at Saint John Vianney Residence, Providence. He continued celebrating Mass at the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Convent, North Providence; had his iPad set to the Weather Channel and his tv on QVC. His service as Chaplain led to a life-long habit of listening to a scanner. He was a good friend to his priest brothers at Mt. Vianney; could regularly be heard laughing with the staff; and was lovingly nagged by his niece. Father Luft was most content spending hours in religious reflection, from the comfort of his beloved recliner. He leaves behind two sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins of three generations with whom he was close.

Father Luft will be remembered as a ‘Gentle Giant’, with a big heart, who served God with graciousness and touched so many lives with his humanity and spirit of acceptance.

Visitation will be on Saturday, April 24th, 2021, from 9:00 to 10:00am at Blessed Sacrament Church, 239 Regent Avenue, Providence. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Blessed Sacrament Church on April 24th at 10:00am. Burial will follow at St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity.