Raymond Lessard

Raymond A. Lessard was born in Gardner, MA on March 3, 1931 and passed away on March 25, 2010 at Verde Valley Medical Center in Cottonwood, AZ. His parents were Aurore Beaudette and Albert Lessard born in Canada. Ray had 7 brothers and sisters. He was preceded in death by siblings Oscar, Cecile, Doris, Henry and Albert Jr. His remaining surviving siblings are Bernie (Wanda) Lessard of Rhode Island and Robert (Rachel) Lessard of Arizona. Ray loved his Lord Jesus Christ and was involved in his church, Emmanuel Fellowship, when it was still in Old Town Cottonwood and when the church was built on Fir Street. He loved people and was a musician at one time. He was involved in a number of church productions. Ray was a master baker and loved baking for everyone. His wedding cakes were his masterpieces. He baked for the mission, cooked for Agape Ranch, and other organizations and whoever needed him. His hobbies were woodworking and teaching school kids about woodworking and machinery with his longtime friend Jim Tipton. His lifelong passion was fishing which he never had time for until he was disabled in 1989 and then he was "gone fishing"! He was also an avid Diamondbacks fan. Ray is survived by his first wife, Sue of 19 + years, their 5 children and 4 grandchildren; Doreen (John) Collins of Scottsdale, Sandra Lessard and daughter Victoria Smith of Phoenix, Daniel Lessard of Scottsdale and his daughters Heather and Danielle Lessard of MA, Raylene Loomis and daughter Samantha of N. Reading, MA and Raymond Lessard, Jr. of Prescott, AZ. He is also survived by his second wife of 37 years, Gloria, and his 2 stepchildren Christ (Kathy Bartlett) Mellonas of Camp Verde and Helen (Louis) Grampus of Cottonwood and 2 step-grandchildren Zach and Nick Grampus also of Cottonwood. Ray leaves relatives and friends back eat in MA, ME, FL and RI. A memorial for Raymond will be held Saturday, April 17, 2010, 12 noon at Emmanuel Fellowship Church, 1580 E. Fir Street in Cottonwood. An online guestbook is available to sign at www.westcottfuneralhome.com