ABOUT ME

Hi, my name’s Ray Noble. In general, I’m a widower, father and a retired lawyer, law professor and author. I was raised in NJ and now live in central Florida.

EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENTS: Summa Cum Laude, Undergrad debating scholarship, Fulbright scholarship, Campion Scholar at Oxford University, Presidential Scholar at Boston College Law School, law review editor.

FORMER PROFESSIONAL LIFE: Corporate lawyer, state (NJ) Deputy Atty General for Civil Rights, Law school associate professor (St. John’s University), legal writer, author of guide for women at the request of the New Jersey League of Women Voters, state judiciary’s chief of long range planning, state bar association’s chief counsel, USIA law reform rep in Gaza and the West Bank, co-founder and overseer of 9/11 Mass Disaster relief program for World Trade Center victims.

A TRAGEDY AND A NEW CHAPTER: In 2001, after 33 years of marriage and 8 children (6 living daughters) and 4 grandchildren, Alice, the love of my life (my high school sweetheart), died. She was only 55 years old. I still miss her deeply and always will. But in 2002, life turned in a very different direction  when I left the practice of law and became a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal for 3 blessed years. I served in the Hispanic apostolate and the pro-life ministry and  counseled outside abortion mills in Manhattan and the Bronx. I also loved the CFRs’ radical commitment to poverty, yet they have a joy and exuberance that comes straight from God. I also treasured the daily commitment to many wonderful hours of daily prayer that included Mass, the Divine Office and daily Eucharistic adoration and rosary.

YET ANOTHER CHAPTER: But in 2005, while I was still in temporary vows, one of my daughters was hospitalized, with long term needs. It became clear to others and to me that my 3 years as a friar was to be a prelude to other things. Retiring to central Florida, I now live as a single, senior citizen but try to continue the life I knew as a friar, as much as possible, both in my lifestyle and my activities.

This website is a recent development. I hope you find it helpful and, at least occasionally, fun. I do.