The Chancellor’s Office recently learned that Reverend Raymond Arthur Lettre, 95, a retired priest of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, passed away in the Lord late Friday evening, August 29, 2025, at Sturgill Hospice Care Center, in Brooksville, following a steady decline in health in recent months.

Father Lettre was born to Emile and Georgiana Lettre on June 22, 1930, in Berlin, New Hampshire. A late vocation to the priesthood, Father Lettre was ordained to the presbyterate for our Diocese by Bishop W. Thomas Larkin, on May 21, 1988, at the age of 57. Prior to seminary life and priesthood, Father Lettre was married to Marjorie Mary (Lapointe) Lettre for 27 years, until her death in 1980, following an 11-year battle with cancer. The Lettres had four sons and one daughter. They were members of Light of Christ Parish, in Clearwater since its establishment in 1966. Father Lettre was also the owner of Ray’s TV and Computer Center, in Clearwater.

Having attended high school seminary for one year in 1945, Father Lettre further discerned a calling to priestly ministry after Marjorie’s passing. He attended Eckerd College and completed one year of pastoral work and one year of studies at Mater Dei Institute, in Spokane, Washington.

After his ordination to the priesthood in 1988, Father Lettre served as Parochial Vicar of the following parishes: St. Theresa, Spring Hill (1988-1990), Christ the King, Tampa (1990-1992), St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Spring Hill (1992-1997), and St. Thomas Aquinas, New Port Richey (1997-1998). In 1998, he was appointed as Pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Citrus Springs, and served the community for four years until his retirement on July 1, 2002. In retirement, he resided at his home in Weeki Wachee and continued to provide assistance to parishes in Hernando County and visited numerous patients in local hospitals, nursing homes, and Hospice facilities.

Father Lettre is survived by his sons Jerry (Donna) Lettre, Steve Lettre, Ken (Karen) Lettre, and Joe Lettre, and daughter Julie Lettre, along with nine grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.

All funeral services will take place at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church, 5030 Mariner Boulevard, Spring Hill, and are as follows:

Visitation:       Monday, September 8, 2025, 4:00-7:00 p.m. Concluding with Evening Prayer at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass: Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 11:00 a.m.
                        Most Reverend Gregory Parkes will be the Main Celebrant

Burial will immediately follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 5233 118^th Avenue N., Clearwater.

Clergy wishing to vest are invited to bring an alb and white stole.

Expressions of sympathy may be addressed to the Family of Rev. Raymond Lettre, c/o the Office of the Chancellor, Diocese of Saint Petersburg, P.O. Box 40200, St. Petersburg, FL 33743-0200.

Please keep Father Lettre’s family and loved ones in your kind thoughts and prayers.

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May his soul and the souls of all the faithful
departed, by the mercy of God, rest in peace!