Donald J. Toner C.S.S.

Concord – Rev. Donald J. Toner, C.S.S., a member of the Stigmatine Fathers and Brothers, died after a long illness on Thursday, December 29, 2005 at The Rivercrest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Concord. He was 73. Born in Arlington on April 4, 1932, Father Toner entered the Stigmatine Seminary, Wellesley in September, 1952. He professed his first vows as a Stigmatine religious on June 22, 1956 and his final vows on June 6, 1959. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 6, 1962 at The Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. by Archbishop Philip Hannon. Father Toner was a graduate of Arlington High School, The Elm Bank Seminary and The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. where he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1962. Father Toner served in several Stigmatine ministries including The Catholic Information Centre, Sault Ste. Marie, Canada as Stigmatine Director of Vocations and, since 1965, he was a missionary in many Stigmatine apostolates in Brazil. He was loved by the confreres and lay people in the Brazilian parishes where he ministered and he will be remembered as a loving and zealous minister of evangelization. The son of the late James and Mary (Hayden) Toner, he leaves three sisters, Joanne Farrar of Weymouth, Nance Vossmer and Paula Lee, both of Arlington; three brothers, James Toner of Bolton, Connecticut, Richard Toner of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Charles Toner of Quincy and many nieces, nephews, cousins and his Community of Stigmatine Fathers and Brothers. He was also a step-son of the late Eleanor (McManus) Toner. Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, January 3rd from 2 to 5 p.m. at The Espousal Retreat Center, 554 Lexington Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 4th, in the Espousal Center Chapel. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery, Milford. Memorial donations may be made to The Stigmatine Mission Office, 554 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA 02452.