Raymond B. Leduc, 69, of Bristol, died at his home on July 10 after a courageous fight with cancer. He was born in Holyoke, Mass. on July 1, 1941, the son of Raymond O. and Marie (Chretien) Leduc.
Ray lived in the Aldenville area of Chicopee, Mass. and graduated from Chicopee High School in 1958. Ray married Lora Carey in 1961, and raised three sons in Ludlow, Mass. In 1974 they moved to Warwick, Mass. where a daughter was born.
Ray was the youngest ever to become a store manager of Popular Markets in Longmeadow, Mass. He worked in construction for many years with Coughlan Brothers, Modern Continental and Lane. Ray owned R & R Sport Center and Ray’s Exxon in Orange, Mass. He was a technician and repaired diesel fuel pumps for many years. He retired from Dept. 4 at the L.S. Starrett Company after 17 years.
He was a man of many talents and was able to take on projects big or small. He built two log homes, one in Warwick, Mass. and their current home in Bristol. He loved cars, and restored two ’69 Pontiac Firebird Convertibles, a ’71 Mach 1 Mustang and a ’74 VW Super Beetle.
Ray and Lora retired to Maine and enjoyed RV’ing, boating, fishing and visits from family and friends. Holidays and birthday gatherings were always fun. Ray’s sense of humor entertained all when he shared stories from his adventurous past.
He was so kind and generous all his life. His mother tells that as a young newspaper courier, he would go to a corner store with his tip money where he’d buy treats for all the kids who trailed along after him.
In his declining health, Ray was able to enjoy a celebration of his 69th birthday from his swinging chair on the porch with all his children, family and friends. It turned into a “work bee” of chores and instructions. He was making his final plans so he could go in peace knowing his wife would be ok.
He was predeceased by his father, Raymond O. Leduc.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Lora Leduc; his 92 year old mother, Marie Leduc; children, Gregory and wife Laurie, Brian and wife Linda, Michael and fiancée Kimberly Zilinski, and Kimberly Cowan and husband John; sister, Joanne Gonneville Purcell and husband Keith; brother, Robert Leduc and wife Norma; grandchildren, Kolby, Samantha, Casey, Nicholas, Jackson, Alyssa Cowan, and Jason and Nikki Bevis; as well as one great-grandchild, Madison Leduc.
Memorial service for Ray 1 p.m., Thurs., July 15 at the Congregational Church of Bristol, 1263 Bristol Rd., Bristol, with the Rev. David Ray officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Congregational Church of Bristol, UCC Building Fund, P.O. Box 154, Bristol, ME 04539 or to Miles Home Health & Hospice, 40 Belvedere Rd., Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Condolences for the family may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
