Raymond R. Lafortune
Former Owner of Raymond & Garland Flowers
TEWKSBURY: Raymond R. Lafortune, age 87, World War II Veteran, a resident of Tewksbury for the past 62 years, died at his home, with his loving family by his side, on Tuesday morning, October 29, 2013, after a brief period of declining health.
He was the husband of the late Doris T. (Morency) Lafortune, who died July 9, 2004.
Born in Lowell on November 27, 1925, he was one nine children of the late Clement and Adrien (Dufresne) Lafortune.
Mr. Lafortune was raised in Lowell and attended Lowell parochial schools.
In 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Mr. Lafortune served during World War II with the 122nd Medical Detachment. He was awarded numerous decorations for his military service including the Combat Service Commemorative, the Overseas Commemorative, the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal, the Army Occupation of Germany Medal, the American Defense Commemorative, the Cold War Victory Commemorative, the Foreign Expeditionary Commemorative, and the Honorable Service Commemorative.
Prior to his retirement, he and his late wife, were the owners of Raymond and Garland Flowers for 35 years.
He was an active communicant and supporter of St. William's Parish of Tewksbury.
Mr. Lafortune was a 4th Degree member of the Father Francis Coppens Council # 4336 Knights of Columbus of Tewksbury. In addition he was a member of the Tewksbury American Legion, the Tewksbury Golden Age Club and Senior Drop-In-Center, the Silver Tones Band, the Franco American Club, and was a past member of the Tewksbury Lions Club.
Mr. Lafortune's love and special gift of playing the piano and organ was a talent he enjoyed sharing with everyone. He voluntarily performed at the Tewksbury Hospital patients Sunday morning Mass for 47 years. He played and directed many variety shows for St. Williams Parish, played for the Franco American Club, the Tewksbury Senior Center, the Tewksbury Country Club, and the Bedford V.A. Hospital to name a few.
Mr. Lafortune loved to spend time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He enjoyed traveling to Florida and spending summers at area beaches with his late wife and family.
He is survived by three daughters, Denise C. Deery and her husband John of Jefferson, NH, Annemarie Gauthier and her husband Roland of Hudson, NH and Renee T. Ronan of Hudson, NH; three sons, Girard J. Lafortune of Illinois, Retired Tewksbury Police Officer, Raymond C. Lafortune and his wife Colleen (Cronin) Lafortune of Lowell and Andre W. "Andy" Lafortune and his wife Beth (French) Lafortune of Tewksbury; one sister, Aurore Morrisette of Lowell; fifteen grandchildren, Marjon Teffner, Denise Marie Biathrow, John Deery, Jr., Christine Labore, Raymond C. Lafortune, Jr., Timothy and Matthew Lafortune, Lindsay, Andrew, Cody and Benn Lafortune, Ashley and Kristin Gauthier, Kaliegh and Emily Ronan; twelve great grandchildren, Ryan, Brenden, Sarah, Alexis, Desiree, Joshua, Jordan, Mckenzie, Khale, Caleb, Gavin and Aidan; his brothers and sisters-in-law; Roland and Annette Bergeron, Leon and Loraine Morency, Norman and Darlene Morency, Robert Morency, Joseph and Susan Labranche, Vivian Dennis and Albert Chandonnet; also many nieces, nephews and God Children.
He was predeceased by two brothers, the late Leo and Antonio Lafortune, and five sisters, the late Irene Rondeau, Lucienne Lemieux, Florence Barker Dame, Rita Desforges, and Pauline Chandonnet. His brother-in-law and sister-in-law, the late Wilfred and Loraine Morency.
Special thanks to Merrimack Valley Hospice, the Tewksbury Senior Center, Virginia Desmond, James Williams and Diane Laskey-Longtin.
Calling hours will be Sunday, Nov. 3, from 3-8 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. His funeral will be held Monday, Nov. 4, at 9 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Williams Church 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment to follow at St Joseph Cemetery, Chelmsford. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Tewksbury Hospital Patients Fund, 365 East St., Tewksbury, MA 01876.