Fr. Clair attended the former St. Francis Seminary in Loretto, Pa., from 1954-1958, and entered the priesthood. In 1963, he earned his master's degree in library science from Villanova University, Phila., and had various teaching assignments until 1971, when he became librarian at Bishop Egan High School and superior of St. Anthony Monastery in Levittown, Pa. In 1976, Fr. Clair began service as headmaster of St. Francis Prep School in Spring Grove, Pa., where he was also religious superior of the Franciscan community up until the time of his death.