The Doane Stuart School is sad to report the death of The Right Reverend David Standish Ball. Bishop Ball was ordained a deacon on June 14, 1953, and a priest on December 21, 1953 in Albany.
Bishop Ball was instrumental in the merger of St. Agnes School and the Kenwood Academy of the Sacred Heart creating Doane Stuart. He served on the Board of Trustees for more than three decades (1975 – 2008). In addition to his dedicated support of Doane Stuart, Bishop Ball was known for his support of hospitals, nursing homes, schools, St. Margaret’s Center for Children, in addition to the poor and the homeless
Bp. Ball was elected Dean of the Cathedral of All Saints in Albany in 1960. He served the Cathedral as dean for 23 years. During that time, he was filled with compassion for the increasing number of poor and homeless on the streets of Albany.
In October 1983, he was elected Bishop coadjutor of Albany. In February 1984, he was consecrated by Presiding Bishop John Maury Allin, Bishop David E. Richards, former suffragan of Albany, and the sixth bishop of Albany, Bishop Wilbur Emory Hogg. Upon Bishop Hogg’s retirement, in October 1984, Bishop Ball was installed as the 7th Bishop of Albany at the Cathedral of All Saints. He served as Bishop of Albany until he reached the mandatory retirement age in 1998.
In 2004 Doane Stuart established The Right Reverend David Standish Ball Distinguished Trustee Award in his honor and he was the first recipient of this Distinguished award.
Bp. Ball’s life was dedicated to the service of God, and he served God willingly and humbly, with a heart for the needy and the marginalized in the community. He often said the secret to ministry was, “to say your prayers and love your people.” He will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace.
Calling hours for Bishop David S. Ball will be on Friday, April 28th from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at The Cathedral of All Saints, 62 South Swan St, Albany, NY 12210. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 29th at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral. The Rt. Rev. William H. Love will celebrate and the Rev. Justine Guernsey will preach. Clergy are invited to vest and process, wearing a white stole.