FORT KENT – Reynold J. “Ray” Soucy passed away Jan. 16, 2009, at a Fort Kent health care facility. He was born May 16, 1935, in Fort Kent, the son of Baptiste and Victoire (Charette) Soucy. He was raised and educated in Fort Kent and graduated from the University of Maine, Orono, with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics in 1960. After a few years of teaching, he moved on to start his own distribution company, Reynold’s Dairy. In 1967 he was assigned as director of the Maine Power for the Development and Training Act for SAD 27. Through the years, Ray has been at the forefront of the Maine Potato Industry. He owned and operated his potato and vegetable farms. From 1973 to 1979, he was a member of the Maine Potato commission, where he served for three years as chairman. He also served on the National Potato Board. He worked as a potato broker and was also a licensed auctioneer, directing annual local farm machinery auctions. During his lifetime, Reynold has been involved in community affairs as selectman for the town of Fort Kent, past member of the Lions Club, Knights of Columbus and chairman of the Fort Kent Centennial. In 1969 he received The Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award from the Fort Kent Jaycees. Until his sickness, he operated both his own companies: Acadian Acres-Wood Production, and Hercules of Maine-Mail Courier and Department of Transportation Spraying. Ray never ceased to try new ventures, believing in hard work and self-reliance. After suffering his heart attack, Ray worked diligently at regaining strength and he continued to pursue an active life. He never let his limitations affect his attitude, his relationship with others or his love of life. Ray taught us all about courage and kindness through his determination and good humor. Ray was a persistent, solid and a determined person, he was also practical and reliable, joyous, dynamic and inquisitive and he especially had a generous heart and was open to his real friends. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by the love of his life, Rina (Boucher) Soucy of Fort Kent; one sister, Doris Boucher of Fort Kent; a sister-in-law, Germaine Soucy of Fort Kent; several nieces and nephews; and the special family of Butch and Kim Dubois. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Roy; and brother-in-law, Valere Boucher. Friends may call 9-10:45 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Daigle & Nadeau Funeral Home, Fort Kent. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Louis Catholic Church, Fort Kent, with the Rev. Richard Ouellette officiating. Spring burial will be held May 11, at the parish cemetery. Those who wish may donate in his memory to Northern Maine Medical Center Cardiac Fund, 194 East Main St., Fort Kent, ME 04743 or the Roy R. Soucy Memorial Scholarship Fund or J.R. Boucher Scholarship Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
REYNOLD J. ‘RAY’ SOUCY
