Rev. Robert J. LeFevre, 77

A funeral Mass was offered Nov. 17 at St. Peter's Church, Saratoga Springs, for Rev. Robert J. LeFevre, who died Nov. 11. He was 77 and had been a priest of the Albany Diocese for 48 years.

A native of Albany, he served as associate pastor at St. Margaret of Cortona Church in Rotterdam Junction, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Gloversville, Sacred Heart in Troy (while campus minister at Hudson Valley Community College) and St. Jude the Apostle in Wynantskill.

He was pastor of St. John the Baptist parish in Schenectady for 16 years, then pastor of St. Peter's in Saratoga Springs for a decade until his retirement in 2005, remaining as pastor emeritus.

Father LeFevre's ministry was a quiet one. When he last wrote to The Evangelist about an anniversary of ordination, he summed up his nearly five decades of priesthood by quoting the prophet Micah: "This is what Yahweh asks of you, only this: to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God."

"Would recommend vocation to others. Priesthood has been exceptionally positive," he added.

On the other hand, Bishop Emeritus Howard J. Hubbard, who knew Father LeFevre since their seminary days together, had been known to remark about being at the receiving end of Father LeFevre's "wry sense of humor" many a time.

His ministry concluded, Father LeFevre can now "walk humbly" into the arms of the God he served for so long.

Survivors include siblings Jean Fournier of Wickford, R.I.; Agnes Kiley of Troy; and Raymond Jr. of Troy. Interment was at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.