Raymond Emile Lavoie Sr.

Raymond Emile Lavoie, Sr. of Rocky Hill, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2023. Most currently a resident of Waters Edge Rehab, Ray lived in Hartford, Wethersfield and Rocky Hill most of his life. Born April 12, 1934, Ray was proud of his heritage growing up in Frog Hollow and most especially of his graduation from Holy Trinity High School, where he was known as “Red” and revered for his knowledge and passion for automobiles. Ray was most proud of his call to action to the U.S. military. Although he never served, he was proud to answer the call to serve and was drafted into the U.S. Army October 6, 1954 at Fort Dix, Company A56 where he was later found to have a medical condition so he was honorably discharged November 11, 1954. Ray married Irene Ferrero and they resided in Hartford on Linmore Street, where they had four children. In 1968, they moved their family to Wethersfield where their fifth child was born, the first baby on the street.

Ray opened Modern Carpet on New Park Avenue in Hartford, and then on Main Street in Glastonbury and installed carpeting in homes all over Connecticut with his brother- in-law, Norman Joanis. They also worked together on a special patent for a retractable knife.

Later, Ray worked for the Wethersfield Board of Education in Maintenance for over 20 years. He was proud of his work and received many accommodations for keeping the schools in tip top shape. He also delivered the Hartford Courant to paper carriers throughout Wethersfield.

Ray enjoyed trips to Florida to visit his sisters and amusement parks. Still with a passion for cars, he always drove. Ray enjoyed Boys Brigade and was a member for 29 years and Commander of American Legion Rocky Hill Post 123 since 2012. He was a registered bounty hunter and a member of the NRA. Hunting with his nephew then enjoying his venison stew was one of his favorites. Ray was predeceased by his six sisters and their spouses, Claire Miller, Helen Thibeault, Annette Howard, Aldea Leniert, Theresa Choinski, and Juliette Girouard. He was also predeceased by many nephews, most recently his partner in crime, Phil Bellingham and Steven Joseph Joanis. On July 4, 1988 Ray lost his oldest son, Raymond Lavoie, Jr of Wethersfield.

Ray leaves the last surviving member of his generation, his sister-in-law, Marie Ferrero Joanis, and his remaining four children, Donald Lavoie, Ric Lavoie, Michele Lavoie and her spouse Jeffrey Buysse and Patty Arcari and her husband John. Ray is also survived by his grandchildren, Michael Lavoie his fiancée Kelly Lester, Jessica Lavoie Chamble, Taylor Rae Buysse and her fiancé Nathan McGuirk, Jeffrey Buysse, Nicole Arcari and Joseph Buysse and his three great-grandchildren, Carter Chamble and Grace and Noelle Lavoie, along with an extended family of nieces, nephews and grands. He fondly leaves his nephew and best friend, Wally Miller, who, along with his daughter Clare and son Martin, were all very caring and supportive friends to the end.

His children would like to express their sincerest gratitude to Heavens Hands for his care at home and the staff at Waters Edge Rehab, especially Sandra, whose sass and smile are infectious, for the special care, empathy and kindness through the last two years. Also, a special thank you to Heather Flaum, LMSW, dad's Social Worker at Prospero and Ashley Lebel at the State of CT Department of Social Services, without whom Dad would have had no care.

Funeral services will begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, December 27 at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church of Christ the King Parish, 601 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield. Attendees may gather at the funeral chapel or meet directly at church. Burial with military honors will be in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, December 26 from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral chapel.