Raymond Joseph Arsenault

Born in Rumford, Maine on December 13, 1927, Raymond was the son of the late Viola (Cormier) and Donat Arsenault. The family moved to Gardner, Massachusetts and, after the eighth grade, he entered Blessed Sacrament Seminary to study for the priesthood. There, he made many lifelong friends who continued to enrich him throughout his life. Upon leaving the seminary, just before his final vows, he continued his education at John Carroll University, Ohio.

Although he never became a priest, the Church has been the center of his life. Until his health made it impossible, he went to mass daily. Afterwards, he joined the other “Choirboys” at Uncle Pete’s for breakfast, and a discussion on how to save the world. He was a member of the Church Council, started youth groups in the diocese, was a long-time member and president of the Blessed Sacrament Men’s club, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and helped found a parish camping club.

Professionally, he would have liked to have been a writer, but started out at General Motors in Ohio. When he moved to California, he began a career in contracts at Packard Bell, and eventually moved to Hughes Aircraft, and became a Contract Administrator.

He leaves his second wife of almost 57 years, Joan, his eight children and their spouses, Mary Beth and her husband Bert, Michele and her husband Dave, Chris, Ray, Rosalie and her husband Eddie, Dan and his wife Randie, Alice and her husband Ned, Rob and his wife Richelle, his eleven grandchildren, Sara, Megan, Anne and her husband Runar, Jessica and Carlos, Jenny, Jackie, Zach, Blake, Declan, Kaela, Miles, his great-grandchild Annabelle, and his sister, Muriel Davies.

He joined his first wife Rosalie, his brother Roger, and his sister Gloria in the afterlife, August 8th, 2017, after a peaceful transition, surrounded by members of his family.

The celebration of his life will take place September 8th, 2017, 11:00 a.m., at Blessed Sacrament Church.

 In lieu of flowers, please send donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or Blessed Sacrament School.

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