The Reverend Raymond P. Slezak, 68, retired priest of the Diocese of Allentown, died June 9, 2017, at his home in Luzerne County. Born in Hamtramck, Michigan, he was a son of the late Raymond and Helen (Tomczyk) Slezak.

He attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, Michigan; Saint Mary College; Oakland University; and Saints Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Orchard Lake, Michigan, where he earned a master of divinity degree.

He was ordained to the priesthood on May 18, 1974, by the Most Reverend Joseph M. McShea, founding Bishop of Allentown, in the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, Allentown.

He was parochial vicar at Saint Ursula Parish, Fountain Hill; Saint Peter Parish, Coplay, Sacred Heart Parish, Allentown and Saint Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Minersville.

His pastoral assignments were at Saint Anthony Parish, Millmont, Reading; Saint Mary Parish, Ringtown; Saint Joseph Parish, Sheppton; Saint Joseph and Saint Stanislaus Parishes, Bethlehem. He was an administrator at Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Allentown. He taught at Allentown Central Catholic HS.

He was a regional director of vocations, Lehigh County; Special Advocate, Diocesan Tribunal; Defender of the Bond, Diocesan Tribunal; and a member of the Holy Name HS budget board.

He was named a retired priest on June 15, 2010.

He is survived by two brothers, Robert and his wife Sharon Slezak and Michael and his wife, Marcy Slezak, all of Chesterfield, Michigan; a sister, Delphine Slezak, of Hamtramck, Michigan; and a nephew.

Father Slezak had requested that a Mass be celebrated in his memory.

Arrangements were made by Connell Funeral Home Inc., Bethlehem.