Fr. Donald Scales, OSB Died on December 12th, 2008.

Father Donald Francis Joseph Scales, 80, of the Order of Saint Benedict (OSB), departed this life on December 12, 2008 at Mary, Mother of the Church Abbey in Richmond.  Fr. Donald was born to Thomas and Katherine (Kelly) Scales on March 9, 1928 in Oneida, NY.  Moving to Hickory, NC when his father took a job at Hickory Chair Company, Fr. Donald was educated at Belmont Abbey Prep and Belmont Junior College before earning his college degree at St. Benedict’s College, Atchison, KS in 1952.  Fr. Donald first became attracted to the Roman Catholic priesthood as a young boy after getting to know a priest and realizing “he was a human being.”  He entered Belmont Abbey as a novice in 1948 and attended Belmont Abbey Seminary, being ordained a priest at Belmont Abbey on June 17, 1955 by Bishop John J. Russell, then bishop of Charleston, SC.

Fr. Donald then was sent to Benedictine High School in Richmond, where he worked for two years.  He then returned to Belmont Abbey to teach freshman English and to conduct parish ministry on the weekends in the Charlotte, NC area.  He also served as assistant dean of students at Belmont Abbey College.  He served again at Benedictine from 1960-61, then again returned to Belmont Abbey from 1962-69 where he was chaplain to the college students and taught English and religion.  During those years, he completed a master’s degree in guidance and counseling at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.  He worked also as a drug and alcohol rehabilitation counselor in Connecticut and Kentucky from 1971-75.  Fr. Donald then served as assistant pastor at St. Michael’s parish in Gastonia, NC, returning for the final time to Richmond in 1980, where he remained as a monk until his passing, serving at Benedictine as a religion teacher until his retirement and as a board member until his death.  He served first as associate pastor and then as pastor of St. Benedict Catholic Church, Richmond until 1999.  For many years and until his last days, he also served as the beloved Prior of his monastery.

            Although Fr. Donald taught English, Algebra, General Sciences and Sociology at Benedictine, when asked what he taught, he would mention quickly that he “taught students.”  He fondly remembered teaching the sons of men he had educated earlier in his career and would quip, “Your father is a smart man -- he married your mother,” and “If your old man could make it, so can you.”

Never without a cigar or a smile, Fr. Donald baptized, served first communions, heard confessions, officiated weddings, offered last rites, and delivered the eulogies of countless numbers of Christians.  Through his loving and comforting care, Fr. Donald provided years of spiritual guidance and friendship to anyone he met.

Fr. Donald is survived by his monastic brothers; two sisters-in-law, Carol Scales and Martha Scales; several nieces and nephews, Sandra Scales-Siwek, Cecile Matty, Eric Scales, Maryanne “Sissy” Thomas, Hank Thomas, Randy Thomas, and Paul Thomas; and one cousin, William Colliton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fr. Donald Memorial Fund at Mary, Mother of the Church Abbey, 12829 River Rd., Richmond, VA 23238-7206.

Funeral Arrangements

Tuesday, Decemeber 16, 2008

5:00 - 7:00pm       Visitation at St. Benedict's Church (304 North Shepherd Street, Richmond)
7:00pm                 Memorial Vigil Mass at St. Benedict's Church celebrated by Bishop Francis DiLorenzo.
Homily by Fr. Gregory Gresko, OSB (Download pdf)

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

10:00am            Funeral Mass, with procession to the Abbey cemetery (12829 River Road) and burial to follow
 Homily by Abbot Patrick Moore, OSB (Download pdf)

If you have any questions, please call the Abbey at 804-784-3508.