Raymond R. "Ray" Caron

Raymond R. Caron, 71, of Hillsborough, formerly of Manchester, died February 18, 2016 in Ft. Myers, FL after a long illness. He was born in Manchester on January 4, 1945 the son of Raymond W. and Mildred M. (Mitchell) Caron. He was a lifelong resident of the Queen City before relocating to Hillsborough and was educated at St. Anthony Elementary and High School where he was a member of the graduating class of 1963. He was also a member of St. Anthony’s Church Men’s Choir.

Following his graduation, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps proudly serving during the Vietnam War. He was employed as a truck driver with Associated Grocers of New England with over 43 years of service. Ray was dedicated to his community serving in many capacities. He was a lifetime member and commander of the Henry J. Sweeney Post #2 American Legion, a member and commander of the Catholic War Veterans (CWV) and a member and commander of the Veteran’s Council. He volunteered at the VA Hospital and was instrumental in the construction of the POW/MIA monument at Veterans Park and in organizing many Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades. He was the recipient of the 1992 Union Leader/ Maurice McQuillen Award and also the Thomas King Award for community service.

He loved all sports as both a player and coach. He was a coach of CWV Baseball, Manchester East Youth Soccer and the Manchester Regional Youth Hockey (MRYHA).

Members of his family include his wife of 46 years Jeanine “Jean” (Verville) Caron, his daughter Micheline Peterson and her husband Robert all of Hillsborough, his son Raymond W. Caron and his fiancée Jennifer Donovan of Epping, his grandchildren Nicholas Peterson of Hillsborough and Emily Donovan and Ryan Donovan both of Epping, his three sisters Elaine Landry and her husband Bob of Roanoke, VA, Phyllis Gagnon and her husband Roland and Leslie Tsiorbas and her husband Dennis, his two brothers Denis Caron and Marc Caron and his wife Pam all of Manchester as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation was held on Thursday March 10 from 4 to 8 pm at the McHugh Funeral Home 283 Hanover St. corner of Beech St. in Manchester. A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday March 11 at 10 am in St. Anthony of Padua Church 172 Belmont St. Manchester. Urn burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations in Ray’s name be made to Sweeney Post Legion Baseball 251 Maple St. Manchester, NH 03103.