HOLDEN – Joseph “Ray” R. Bosse, 80, died peacefully Oct. 22, 2006, surrounded by his family at home. He was born July 24, 1926, in Old Town to Alice (Grant) Bosse and Joseph F.X. Bosse. Better known as Ray, the quarterback of the 1944 undefeated Old Town football team, he graduated from Old Town High School and attended University of Maine – Orono for a brief period before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. He served as a radio operator and gunner in the 15th Air Force and was stationed in Foggia, Italy during World War II. In 1950, he married Lucille Moore of Newton, Mass., and started his career in retail. Ray managed W.T Grant stores in the New England area for 25 years, finally relocating him back to Maine at the downtown W.T. Grant store in Bangor. After the closing of W.T. Grant, he settled in Holden, starting a new business which is now known as Holden Cabinet and Millwork, where he retire in 1990. Ray was very proud of establishing a successful business, which was passed on to his sons. Ray and Lucille divided their retirement years between Holden and Fort Myers, Fla. His second home was on Tunk Lake, where he always spent his summers from boyhood. Ray could always be found hiking, boating and enjoying time with his family at camp, the place that was dearest to him. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Robert. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lucille (Moore) Bosse; brother, Peter Bosse and wife, Natalie, of Millis, Mass.; sons, Douglas and wife, Candy, of Holden, David and wife, Carol, of Hampden, Dennis and wife, Heather, of Brewer; daughter, Denise Baillargeon and husband, David, of Orrington; as well as 10 grandchildren, Lauren Gross and husband, Luke, Jason, Robin, Ben, Sam, Janelle, Michelle, Joseph, Martina and Chase. Papa enjoyed his entire family and will be dearly missed by all. Friends are invited to visit with the family 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Brookings-Smith, Clark-Piper Chapel, 55 South Main St., Brewer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 531 North Main St., Brewer, with the Very Rev. Richard McLaughlin, pastor, celebrant. Interment will be at Harts Corner Cemetery. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Bosse residence, 654 Main Road, Holden, after the interment. Gifts in his memory may be sent to New Hope Hospice, P.O. Box 757, Holden, ME 04429.
JOSEPH ‘RAY’ R. BOSSE
