Raymond H. Vallieres Sr., 78
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Raymond H. Vallieres Sr., 78, of 178 Middle Road on Wednesday morning, Jan. 18, 2006, at North Adams Commons.Born in North Adams on June 21, 1927, son of Emile J. and Viola Babeu Vallieres, he attended the former Notre Dame School in North Adams.
Mr. Vallieres was owner and operator of Ray's Lawn & Garden Center in Clarksburg and North Adams. In his earlier years, he was employed at the former Cornish Wire Co. in Williamstown. He then joined local carpenters' union No. 108 and began to freelance.
A lifelong communicant of Notre Dame Church in North Adams, he was active in many churches actives, including teaching CCD and being a lecter and Eucharistic minister. He also was a member of the Parish Council, an altar server and an acolyte for funerals, and volunteered at bingo.
He was the chairman and organizer of the Marian Profession in North Adams, and was one of the founding members of the North Adams Council of the Knights of Columbus. He also was a founding member of the former Clarksburg Ambulance Service and of the Hairpin Turners Square Dancing Club. He enjoyed dancing with his wife.
He and his wife, the former Carol Norman, were married Oct. 13, 1951, in Notre Dame Church.
Besides his wife of 54 years, he leaves three daughters, Deborah Calnan and her husband, Mickey, and Dianne Bolognani and her husband, Lee, all of Readsboro, Vt., and Rebecca King and her husband, Gary, of the town of Florida; two sons, Raymond H. Vallieres Jr. of North Adams and Richard D. Vallieres of Clarksburg; a sister, Helene Delisle of West Springfield; 12 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Paul Vallieres and Valmore Vallieres, and a sister, Theresa Burrus.
FUNERAL NOTICE — Funeral services for Mr. Vallieres will take place Saturday, Jan. 21, at 10:15 a.m. at the FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, WEST CHAPELS, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 at Our Lady of Mercy Church. Burial will take in the spring in Clarksburg Cemetery.
Calling hours at the funeral home are Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested for the North Adams Catholic Community through the funeral home, 521 West Main St. North Adams, MA 01247.