Rev. Donald Francis Joseph Scales

SCALES, Rev. Donald Francis Joseph, 80, of the Order of Saint Benedict (OSB), departed this life on December 12, 2008, at Mary, Mother of the Church Abbey in Richmond. He entered Belmont Abbey in North Carolina as a novice in 1948, and attended Belmont Abbey Seminary, being ordained a priest at Belmont Abbey on June 17, 1955. Fr. Donald then was sent to Benedictine High School in Richmond, where he worked for two years and again from 1960-61, before being sent back to Belmont Abbey. After many different assignments and obtaining a Masters' Degree in Guidance and Counseling, Fr. Donald returned to Richmond for the final time in 1980. He had since remained as a monk, 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. Never without a cigar or a smile, Fr. Donald baptized, served first communions, heard confessions, officiated weddings, offered last rites, and given 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; his 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. His body will be received in St. Benedict Catholic Church, 300 N. Sheppard St., at 5 p.m. Tuesday, with visitation following until 7 p.m., when a Vigil Mass will be celebrated by The Most Rev. Francis X. DiLorenzo, Bishop of The Catholic Diocese of Richmond. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Wednesday at Mary, Mother of the Church Abbey, with burial to follow in the Monastery Cemetery. 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.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.