SHERBORN: Raymond N. Grenier, Sr., 88, a resident of Sherborn for the last 84 years died on Saturday, September 3, 2016 at the Metrowest Medical Center in Natick. Ray had experienced some medical setbacks the last few months and fought hard and tenaciously to gain his strength and return to his much loved Prospect Street home but he lost that battle on Saturday with family at his side. Ray was grateful for the support from his family and many friends during this time. Ray’s family is consoled knowing that he is now with his beloved wife Therese with whom he was married for 68 years.
Ray began life in Framingham on December 15, 1927 where he was one of three children of the late Leonide J. and Mary (MacDonald) Grenier. Ray moved at four years of age to a farm on Prospect Street in Sherborn. During his youth as a school boy, Ray worked with his dad and brother on the farm doing many chores that adults would do today.
Ray and a buddy eventually chose the Navy over school and enlisted. Ray served for a two year stint on a destroyer in the Pacific after World War II. After returning home, Ray worked with his father and brother to build the family farm by trucking cattle from Canada.
Ray met Therese in 1948 at Sunshine Dairy and married shortly after. In 1951 they began building their own home on Prospect Street. By this time, Ray was working at General Motors in Framingham and working nights and weekends on the house. The plumbing contractor working on the house asked Ray to come work for him and learn the plumbing trade. Ray soon began working for MacRae Plumbing and started his own business; R. N. Grenier Plumbing and Heating in 1963, which his son owns today. Although Ray “retired”, he still kept his hands in plumbing doing small jobs. Ray had served the Town of Sherborn as the Plumbing Inspector for 50+ years and at one time was also the Plumbing Inspector for the Town of Dover. Ray had been a volunteer for the Sherborn Fire Department.
The farm boy was always in Ray and he enjoyed spending time on the property, cutting and baling hay, taking care of the many animals the family had growing up, riding his mower, but most of all playing with his many John Deere vehicles. It was a pleasure he enjoyed until the end. As Ray often said “I’ve had a good life”.
Ray was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Therese R. (Chasse) Grenier, who died on April 18, 2016. Ray leaves his children: Rita MacAlpine and her husband Alan of Ashland, Susan McAvoy and her husband John of Millis, Ann Nygaard and her husband Dennis of Medway and Raymond Grenier, Jr and his wife Clare of Sherborn. Ray leaves 12 grandchildren: Kara MacAlpine and Alan MacAlpine, Jr., John McAvoy, Jr., Kathleen (McAvoy) Green and Bryan McAvoy, Lindsay Nygaard, Leanne (Nygaard) Szwaja and Erick Nygaard, Brigitte, Suzanne, Elise and Catherine Grenier and 3 great-grandchildren: Lauren and Alex MacAlpine and Liam McAvoy. Ray was predeceased by his brother Arnold P. Grenier and sister Jean Hollenbach.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 10:00 am for family, friends and the general public at St. Theresa’s Parish, 35 South Main Street, Sherborn. A receiving line with the family will be held at the church following his mass.
Burial will follow at the Pine Hill Cemetery, Cemetery Lane, Sherborn.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Ray’s memory may be sent to the Sherborn Fire and Rescue Assoc., POB 277, Sherborn, MA 01770 or the Saint Theresa Parish and would be appreciated.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of the John C. Bryant Funeral Home of Wayland. For condolences please visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.