Father Denis Read OCD

Fr. Denis READ, OCD Father Denis Read passed away on Monday October 18, 2004 in Miami, Florida while preparing for mass. A native of Seattle, Fr. Denis was currently serving as a teacher and minister at the Spiritual Life Center of the Discalced Carmelite Friars in Miami, Florida. His funeral was held on October 22nd at the Church of the Visitation in Miami and concelebrated by Archbishop Clement Favalora, auxiliary bishops Ramon and Eschivera and many other priests of the diocese. Rev. Jude Peters, OCD, the Carmelite Provincial, was the homilist. Another celebration of his life was held Monday, October 25th at the Carmelite Monastery at Holy Hill in Erin, Wisconsin, where Fr. Denis spent many years serving the community. Fr. Denis was born William Vincent Read on July 19th, 1927 to Helen McGee Read and Edwin Miles Read. He was the fifth of nine children. He graduated from St. Joseph School on Capitol Hill and from Seattle Prep where he was valedictorian of his class. He later received a doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Lateran University in Rome. He made his first profession of vows at Brookline, Massachusetts on October 15, 1944 and was ordained December 20, 1952. Fr. Denis was able to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his ordination in Seattle with family, friends and Carmelite Sisters and Brothers in August of 2002. Fr. Denis dedicated much of his work during the past 25 years to ministering to Latino communities in Wisconsin, Chicago and, since 1998, Miami. He also ministered to the Haitian community in Miami. He was fluent in Spanish and had a great deal of love, compassion and respect for the people he served. These communities loved him in return, and many came to celebrate his life in service of the Lord. Fr. Denis is survived by his brothers David of Seattle (wife Margaret), Deacon Edwin Jr. of Enumclaw (wife Katy), Joseph of South Whidbey and Fr. Ignatio OCD (Daniel) of Davao, Philippines; his sister Carol Ann of Kirkland, sisters-in-law Louise and Peggy, thirty-one nieces and nephews, and countless grand nieces and nephews! Three brothers predeceased him: Thomas Blair, John Paul and Richard Willard. A Memorial Mass for Fr. Denis will be celebrated on Saturday November 13th at 10 a.m. at the Carmelite Monastery of St. Joseph, 2215 NE 147th Street, Seattle, WA 98155. Fr. Denis' family encourages donations in his name to the Carmelite Monastery of St. Joseph or to the charity of your choice.