Father Chester J. Raimer

Father Chester J. Raimer, retired priest of the Diocese of Greensburg, dies July 11

Father Chester J. Raimer, a retired priest in the Diocese of Greensburg who served as a pastor in Blairsville for 21 years, died Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at Saint Anne Home, Greensburg. He was 74 years old and had been a priest of the diocese for 44 years.

He was born in Tarentum, May 4, 1944, to Joseph and Mary (Cicola) Raimer. Father Raimer grew up in Avonmore. His home parish was St. Ambrose Parish there.

Father Raimer was educated in the Avonmore and Bell-Avon public schools and graduated from the Pittsburgh Art Institute. Before deciding to become a priest, he worked in a steel mill and spent a year doing social work. He attended the former St. Pius X Seminary, Erlanger, Ky. and the former St. Francis Seminary, Loretto, Pa.

He was ordained a priest May 4, 1974, by Bishop William G. Connare at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg.

Father Raimer served as a parochial vicar of the former St. Cajetan Parish, Monessen (1974-77); St. Pius X Parish, Mount Pleasant (1977-81); SS. Simon & Jude Parish, Blairsville (1981-83) and St. Edward Parish, Herminie (1983-86). He served as pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Brady’s Bend, and its former mission in Sugar Creek (1986-92) and the former St. Mary Parish, Parker (1990-92), while continuing to serve as pastor of St. Patrick Parish.

He became pastor of SS. Simon & Jude Parish in January 1992. He retired from active ministry June 25, 2013.

Surviving are three cousins, Patricia Iliff of Forest, Va; Kathleen Morris (Don) of Greensburg and Virginia Long (John) of Avonmore.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a cousin, Virginia Maiorino.

Family and friends will be received from 3 to 7 P.M. Sunday in the parlor at Bishop Connare Center, 2900 Seminary Dr., Greensburg, PA where a Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 P.M. Sunday.

Additional viewing will be held from 10:00 to 10:45 A.M. Monday in Saint Joseph Chapel at Bishop Connare Center, Greensburg, PA.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. Monday in St. Joseph Chapel at Bishop Connare Center, Greensburg, PA with The Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, J.C.L., Bishop of Greensburg, as celebrant.

Private interment will be in West View Cemetery, Avonmore.

A special thank you is extended to the staff at Saint Anne Home, Greensburg, for their loving care given to Father Chet.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are being handled by the Shoemaker Funeral Home, Inc., 49 N. Walnut St., Blairsville, PA