Raymond “Ray” Vaillancourt, age 85, of Salem, MA passed away peacefully on Monday July17, 2017 at The Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, MA after a 15 year battle with cancer.
Ray was born in Salem on March 15, 1932 and remained a life-long resident of the city until his passing. He was a 1950 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Lynn, as well as a graduate of Northeastern University and the New England School of Pharmacy. Shortly after serving in the United States Navy, Ray opened Vaillancourt’s Pharmacy on the corner of Lafayette and Harbor streets in Salem which he operated for over 35 years until he remained the last independent pharmacist in the city before selling the business in 1993 to Eaton’s Apothecary. Ray continued to work for Eaton’s in their Salem location until his retirement in 2001. Ray was a life-long member of St. Joseph Parish and served the Salem Community for many years as a member of the Board of Directors for St. Joseph’s Credit Union, the Park and Recreation Commission, and the Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds which awards grants to Salem residents who demonstrate need, as well as to outside agencies who provide assistance to residents. Above and beyond everything else, Ray was remarkable husband, father, grandfather, and human being who had a tremendous passion for his family and life in general – he will leave a void in life that will never be filled.
Ray is survived by his wife of 60 years – Mary Jane (Stewart) Vaillancourt of Salem; his two daughters – Lisa Vaillancourt and partner Collette Tansey of Scituate, MA and Linda Vaillancourt of Salem, MA; his daughter in law – Sue (Smart) Vaillancourt and her husband Peter Gilday of Arlington; his two sons – Ted Vaillancourt and wife Katie (Quinn) Vaillancourt of Danvers, MA and Michael Vaillancourt and wife Stacey (Freeman) Vaillancourt of Boxford; and his ten loving grandchildren – Jennifer, Matthew, Sara, Tyler, Cam, Cole Teddy, Allie, Julia, and Holly. Ray was also preceded in death by his beloved son – Peter Vaillancourt of Arlington; and his parents – Abel and Rose Vaillancourt of Salem, MA.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St. [Route 114 / 1-A] Salem on Friday, July 21, 2017 at 9:00 AM to be followed by his Funeral Mass in St. James Church, 156 Federal St., Salem at 10:00 AM. Visiting hours, at the funeral Home will be on Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Burial on Saturday in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. For guestbook and additional information please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com