Obituary of Raymond Joseph Melanson

MELANSON, Raymond Joseph - At Bluewater Health on Saturday, July 19, 2014, Raymond Melanson died at the age of 88. Beloved husband of Marie (Bourque) for 64 years. Loving father of John & his wife Endah, Calgary, Donald & his wife Rhonda, Sarnia, Peter & his wife Sharon, Sarnia, Mai Anderson & husband Eddie Gabriel, Oil Springs and Rita Varsava & her husband Gary, Port Elgin. Cherished grandfather of Tina, Lisa, Greg, Chris, Mathew, Sarah, Michael, Scott, Noah, Madelyn, Cinby, Jennifer & Heather. Great-grandfather of Christy, Teresa, Brooke, Lucas, Danyelle, Kate, Alexandra, John, William and Margaret. Dear brother of Jeanette Cormier & husband Ron, Florida, Lorette LaVigne, N.B., Paul & wife Jean, Blenheim and brother-in-law of Dorilla Cormier, N.B. Predeceased by son Michael, parents Zenon & Emma Melanson and sisters Lena Luede, Doris Lalonde and Irene Melanson. Raymond was born in New Brunswick, where he met Marie and moved to Sarnia in 1950. Raymond's passion was his family and he loved when they all came together for family gatherings. He had a beautiful singing voice and enjoyed sharing his voice with others. Raymond was a member of the 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus. He was employed by the Lambton County Roman Catholic Separate School Board, for over 33 years, working most of those years at St. Patrick's High School. Raymond was very active in St. Benedict's Church and was an usher for many years. He loved to work the bingo and was a true-blue Jay's fan. Raymond volunteered his time with St. Vincent de Paul Society and also loved to help with the Irish Miracle Food Drive. Friends will be received at the McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 431 N. Christina St., Sarnia on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. where prayers will be offered at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Jim Higgins at Our Lady of Mercy Church on Thursday July 24th, at 11 a.m. Interment at Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may send memorial donations to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 106 East St., S. Sarnia N7T 7H9. Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com A tree will be planted in memory of Raymond Melanson in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 21st, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area