Kathleen Doughty
FATHER RICHARD E. HUBER, MSC
Father Richard E. Huber, MSC died around 10:45 AM on the morning of December 16, 2020, at Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was 87 years old. He was born in Waterville, Maine on March 13, 1933 to Oscar and Leonilda (Paganucci) Huber, both now deceased. He attended Notre Dame Parochial School in Waterville from 1940 - 1946. After graduating from Waterville High School in 1950, he attended the University of Arizona from 1951-52. He then entered the novitiate of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, in Youngstown, Ohio in the fall of 1952. He made his first profession of vows on September 14, 1953. He continued with studies for the priesthood at Sacred Heart Seminary in Shelby, Ohio where he made perpetual profession of vows on September 14, 1956. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 30, 1959 by Bishop George Rehring, D.D. at Toledo, Ohio.
His assignments since ordination included appointments as parochial vicar: at St. John the Baptist, Ottsville, PA from 1961-70; at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Watertown, New York from 1971-72; at St. Francis of Assisi, Warwick, Rhode Island from 1972-74; at Holy Family, Nazareth, Pennsylvania from 1974-81; at St. Mary’s, Elgin, Illinois from 1982-83; and at Holy Cross, Batavia, Illinois from 1983-88. From 1970-71, he also provided priestly assistance at St. Peter’s, Mansfield, Ohio. He ministered as a hospital chaplain: at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Reading, Pennsylvania from 1981-82; and in 1988, at Mercy Hospital, Watertown, New York. In 1989, he was appointed parochial vicar at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Watertown, New York.
During his time at Holy Cross, Batavia, Illinois, he and the pastor, Father Thomas Keller, MSC were both sworn in as Batavia Fire Department chaplains.
Father Huber went on a sabbatical from August 1990 until December 1990. He spent that time at the Center for Continuing Formation in Ministry under the auspices of Notre Dame University at Notre Dame, Indiana. He studied theology and scripture.
After completing Clinical Pastoral education courses at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Illinois in 1994, Father Huber was Catholic chaplain at Mercy Center of Northern New York nursing home until 1999. From 2000 until 2002 he assisted at parishes in Ticonderoga, Ausable, West Leyden and Croghan, New York. In October of 2002 he was appointed parish administrator of St. Therese de Lisieux in Newcomb, New York and St. Henry’s Church in Long Lake, New York. After that he continued to live at the residence of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Watertown, New York, providing parish and hospital ministry.
He then moved to Center Valley, Pennsylvania, and took up residence at Sacred Heart Villa with the MSC community there in 2012. In 2018, he moved to Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania where he spent the rest of his life.
Father Huber was widely appreciated for his gentle and understanding counseling of penitents and persons in distress.
Father Huber is survived by Paul Paganucci, a cousin. He was predeceased by his parents. He was the only child in his family.
An evening prayer vigil service will be held for Father Richard Huber at Sacred Heart Villa, Center Valley, Pennsylvania, on Monday, December 21, at 5 PM.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Father Richard Huber will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at 11 AM, at Sacred Heart Villa, Center Valley, Pennsylvania. Father Vincent Freeh, MSC will preside and preach. Interment will be at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove Street, Waterville, Maine 04901, at a later date.
May Father Richard Huber, MSC rest in eternal peace with God. Memorial contributions in the name of Father Huber may be made to the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, 3300 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA 18034.
