Deacon Robert B. Raymond, of Sun Lakes, AZ passed away Tuesday evening September 25 at Kindred Hospital in Scottsdale, AZ after a long illness. Born in Fall River, MA and the youngest of seven children, Deacon Raymond was the son of Jean-Baptiste Raymond and Marie Anne (Aubut) Raymond of Fall River, MA. Husband of Anna Rita (Joly) Raymond for 45 years. Deacon Raymond served in the Armed Forces for over twenty-two years, first in the United States Army and then in the United States Air Force. He is a Veteran of the Second World War, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He retired with the rank of Technical Sergeant, having earned several medals, including two medals of Military Merit, the Combat Infantry Badge, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star. After retiring from the military, Deacon Raymond worked for the US Post Office in Fall River, MA for 15 years until his retirement. A member of the Knights of Columbus, he was a Past Faithful Navigator of the Fourth Degree. He was a member of the Fall River Richelieu Society, an organization devoted to Franco-American affairs. He was also a member of Disabled American Veterans. In 1982, he was ordained a Permanent Deacon by Bishop Daniel A. Cronin of Fall River, MA. Deacon Raymond served at Saint Anne's Church in the Diocese of Fall River for 13 years until his retirement. He has been a permanent Deacon for 25 years at the time of his death. He also held the post of Chaplain for the Saint Anne's St. Vincent de Paul Society. After retirement, he and his wife relocated to their current home in Sun Lakes, AZ. A communicant of Saint Steven's Catholic Church in Sun Lakes, he is survived by his wife, his son, Attorney Robert B. Raymond II of Youngtown, AZ, his daughter Marie A. Raymond, and two grandchildren, Bastien Andruet, 12, and Sophie Andruet, 10, all of Chandler, AZ. Deacon Raymond's funeral Mass will be held on Monday October 1, at 10:00 am at St. Steven's Catholic Church, 24827 S. Dobson Rd in Sun Lakes, AZ with a visitation at 9:00am. Bishop Thomas Olmsted will preside at the ceremony. Inurnment will be at St. Francis Cemetery at a later date. Bueler Mortuary handled the Arrangements.
Published in The Arizona Republic from 9/28/2007 - 9/30/2007.