ELLSWORTH – John E. Raymond, 88, died June 3, 2009, at a Mount Desert Island health care facility. He was born Jan. 9, 1921, in Ellsworth, the son of Neal A. and Helen E. (Neally) Raymond. John was a U.S. Army veteran serving during World War II. He was a member of the anti-aircraft corps and graduated from Officer Candidate School. He received a field promotion as a first lieutenant serving in Africa, Italy, France and Germany. On Nov. 10, 1945, John and his beloved, Georgia MacRae, were married. They enjoyed a wonderful life together as they owned and operated MA Clark Florists for 34 years and then traveled the world together. Their spontaneity took them to dozens of countries where they proudly traveled by menu instead of map. The early summers were spent at their rustic camp on Patton’s Pond and, in later years, at Bayside in Ellsworth. The happiest winters were spent at their home on South Bimini, Bahamas, surrounded by friends and family. “Old Fat John,” as he jokingly called himself, is suspected of inventing the mail order Christmas wreath, definitely built White Birches Golf Course and although he didn’t invent talking he surely mastered it. The family would love to thank all you wondrous folk who became part and parcel of his stories or just cared to listen. John had been very active in the community. Early in life he served on the board of Maine Maritime Academy. He was a board member of Union Trust Co. for 41 years. He served in the following organizations: member and past president of the Maine Florists Association and Northeastern Association, a charter member and past president of Ellsworth Rotary Club, past president of the Jaycees, past member of Lygonia Masonic Lodge No. 40 AF & AM, Acadia Chapter Blanqufort Commandary and Anah Shrine of Bangor. He is survived by three sons, Jeffrey E. Raymond and wife, Roberta, John E. “Jack” Raymond III, all of Trenton and Joel E. Raymond and fianc?e, Yvonne Maiden, of Ellsworth; five grandchildren, Faith Fugazy and husband, Shane, of Denver, Joshua Raymond of Franklin, Jake and Annie Raymond of Trenton and Torrie Round of Winooski, Vt.; and three beautiful great-granddaughters, Scarlett Fugazy and Jasper and Brynn Round. He was predeceased by his wife, Georgia in 2005. The family would like to thank Dr. Susan Ostertag and staff at Ellsworth Family Practice and the staff at Birch Bay Village for the loving care they gave John through his later years. Visiting hours will be 4-6 p.m. Friday, June 5, at Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth, where a memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 6, with the Rev. Emily Taylor presiding. Private interment will be at Seal Harbor Cemetery, Seal Harbor. Those who desire may make contributions in John’s memory to Ellsworth High School Alumni Fund, P.O. Box 11, Ellsworth, ME 04605 or The Woodlawn Museum, P.O. Box 1478, Ellsworth, ME 04605. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
JOHN E. RAYMOND
