25
trees
planted in memory of Raymond H. Lavoie
Obituary for Raymond H. Lavoie
Raymond H Lavoie, age 93 passed into eternal rest on December 6, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. The son of the late Hilaire and Lillian (Gaudreau) Lavoie, he was born, raised and spent his entire life in Ludlow. He was a lifelong communicant of St Elizabeth’s parish and served as an altar boy there at 11 am Mass for 12 years until a week before his marriage at age 19 to his lovely bride Lucilia.
Raymond was a 1947 graduate of Cathedral High School in Springfield where he was a star fullback on the varsity football team for three years, including the 1946 city championship team. He was a player and Secretary of the Ludlow based Unity Wildcats football team from 1948 to 1951.
Raymond served in the Army National Guard for 4 years in the 104 Infantry Division, Company D.
Raymond was a well-known Carpenter, Builder and General Contractor in Ludlow for 70 years. He built his young family’s first home at age 23. After a brief job at Chapman Valve, he began his real estate career by working for his Uncle Phillipe at Gaudreau Construction Company where he worked as a foreman from 1948-1960. He worked as a foreman for his brother Roland at Roland Lavoie Construction Company from 1960-1968 at which time he bought an apartment building on Hubbard St and a four bedroom apartment building on Sewall St and added eight units to the building. Thus began his real estate building and management career. As he bought and managed apartments, he worked as a remodeling contractor. In 1972 he established Raymond H Lavoie & Sons Construction Company which was a family run business. His wife, sons and daughters stayed in the business for many years and were intricately involved in the daily operations of his business. He went on to build and manage some of the town’s most prominent luxury apartment complexes, including Blisswood Village Apartments, Chapin Greene Condominiums, Meadow Crest Condominiums, and several other single family home subdivisions, and acquired and managed Country Meadow Estates in the late 60’s. In 1976 he founded Paragon LLC as a land acquisition and zoning company which steered the direction and acquisition of the land for his properties. Like all his endeavors, he poured his heart and soul into his building career and never stopped learning his trade by engaging in many courses and seminars throughout the years. Raymond was a past member of the Greater Springfield Builder’s Association. He was a past member of the Springfield Rental Housing Association; Vice President of the Ludlow Taxpayer’s Association and a member of the Apartment Owners Association of America (AOAA).
Raymond was awarded a commendation from the Ludlow Historical Society in 1984 ‘in recognition for his restoration of the Hubbard Dutton House so well done by Raymond Lavoie & Sons, Inc’, which was his company’s office for many years, at the corner of Center and Chapin Streets in Ludlow.
His wife Lucilia was his devoted partner, a close advisor and interior decorator in all his building endeavors. She was not just his wife, but his best friend, trusted confidante and the love of his life. For 38 years he and Lucilia spent their winter months at their home in Boca Raton, Florida where they loved entertaining family and friends. Raymond had a passion for golf and was a member of the Ludlow Country Club for 28 years. He was a member of the LCC Renovation & Building Committee in 1998. He golfed until age 87, often with his sons.
Raymond was a passionate man who adored his family and showered them with his love and affection, which was returned to him a thousand-fold. He had a remarkably strong faith in God that sustained him throughout his life, never more than at the end of his life.
In addition to his loving wife of 73 years, Lucilia (Alves), he leaves his four sons, Raymond Jr (Joanne) of Wilbraham, David (Lena) of Ludlow, Richard (Laura) of Chicopee & Mark (Andrea) of Simsbury, CT. He leaves his three daughters Cynthia (William) Livermore of Ludlow, Susan (Lynn) of Waltham, MA and Lynn (Derrin) Grimard of Wilbraham. He leaves 16 grandchildren, whom he adored, Christopher, Derek, Jason, Michael, Lisa & Kaitlyn, Alex & David Lavoie, Michelle Martin, Jay, Celene, Mat, Cody & Amy Livermore, Ethan Remillard & Alexis Grimard, and 4 great grandchildren, Kayla, Sophia, Madison & Lennon. He leaves his brother Rene (Pauline) and his sisters Jeanne Boyer and Cecile Palatino all of Ludlow and his two sister in laws, Mary (Doug) Alves of Belchertown and Zinda (Edwin) Leary of Ludlow. He also leaves his good friends Tommy Thompson of Sandwich, MA and Lillian Chenier of Ludlow and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Hilaire & Lillian (Gaudreau), his brother Roland and his sister, Sr. Alice Lavoie.
Family and friends are asked to gather for a Liturgy of Christian Burial for Raymond on Monday, December 12th at 10:00am in St. Elizabeth Parish. There will be no calling hours and burial will be held privately by his family in Island Pond Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Sr Alice Lavoie Foundation at St. John the Baptist School in Ludlow.
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Previous Events
Funeral Liturgy
Monday
12
Dec
10:00 AM
St. Elizabeth Parish (St. John the Baptist)
181 Hubbard Street
Ludlow, Ma 01056
Cemetery Details
Location
At the Convenience of the Family
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