RAYMOND M. LAVOIE

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – Raymond M. Lavoie, “Peanut” “Frenchy” “Shorty,” husband of Rena (Martin) Lavoie for 43 years, died Friday, March 6, 2009, at Hospital of Central Connecticut, New Britain, Conn. Born April 12, 1942, in Hamlin, the son of the late Antoine and Fabriola (Beaulieu) Lavoie, he lived most of his life in New Britain, Conn. He was employed for 33 years at Comcast as a construction supervisor. Ray was involved with many clubs and organizations, and was always willing to lend help whenever he could. He was former president of the French Model Club, East Hartford, Conn.; was a member of the French Model Club, New Britain, Conn.; St. Jean De Baptiste Society, New Britain, Conn.; the Veteran’s Commission; New Britain Lodge of Elks No. 957; St. Peter’s Church and St. Peter Society; and Franco American War Veterans Post No. 26, in which he was past state commander, past national commander and past post commander. Ray was very active at St. Peter’s Church, helping with breakfasts and picnics; he also did the same for St. Jean’s Breakfasts and ran the bingo for the Franco American War Veterans for many years. Among his hobbies, Ray liked to play cards, especially solitaire and do crossword puzzles. Through the years, Ray was teased by his friends because of his height and being so small; he will be missed dearly by all. He was predeceased by his only son, Darryl Lavoie in 1991. In addition to his wife, Rena, Ray is survived by four sisters and five brothers, Germaine and Grady Allen, of New Hartford, Conn., Clifford Lavoie, Mariette Adams, Robert and Fern Lavoie, all of West Hartford, Conn., Frank and Rinette Lavoie and Muriel Dubay, all of New Hartford, Conn., Jackie Hayes of Newington, Conn., Kenneth and Margaret Lavoie of Canton, Conn., and Arthur and Janet Lavoie of New Hartford, Conn.; also sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Corine Lavoie of Middletown, Conn., Rose and John Charette of Van Buren, Priscilla and Dick Carrier of Palm Bay, Fla., Pauline Martin of Van Buren, Robert and Pauline Martin of Grand Isle, Edna and Ray Nadeau of Sabattus, Dorine Martin and her longtime companion, Fern Gendreau, Rachel and Conrad Parent of St. Anne, De Madawaska, Canada, and Judy and Norman Grivois of Lewiston; many nieces and nephews from Maine, Connecticut, Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Canada and Arizona. He is also survived by three godchildren, Carol Dominque of Greene, Conn., Gregory Hayes of Newington, Conn., and Dennis Martin of St. Leonard, Canada. Many thanks to the staff and doctors at Hospital of Central Connecticut, New Britain, Conn., for giving him good care. Funeral services will be held 9 a.m. Thursday at Farrell Funeral Home, 110 Franklin Square, New Britain, Conn., with a Mass of Christian burial 10 a.m. at St. Peter Church. Burial will be afterward at St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain, Conn. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Donations may be made to St. Peter Church, 98 Franklin Square, New Britain, CT 06051. To light a memorial candle or send a condolence, please visit www.FarrellFuneralHome.com.