Raymond G. Papineau

BARRE - Raymond G. Papineau, 88, of Bolster Avenue, died peacefully on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at his home surrounded by family and friends.

Born on May 28, 1931 in Penacook, NH, he was the son of William and Mary Jane (Chase) Papineau. He attended schools in Hartford VT.

On March 26, 1960, Raymond married Shirley L. Powers in Hardwick, VT. Following their marriage, they lived in North Montpelier, before moving to Montpelier in 1964, where they raised their family. From 1981, they made their home in Barre.  Shirley passed away in 2013.

In early years, Raymond worked on the family farm in East Montpelier. He served as a member of the Honor Guard in the 135th Infantry of the Army from 1953-1955 and briefly served as a Montpelier firefighter in 1968. For 39 years, he worked as the chief painter at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin. He was renowned by his colleagues for his friendliness and sharp wit. Throughout his life he has acquired many friends who he held very dear to his heart. In particular, his best friend Chuck Locke, of Barre VT.

His family was “the greatest single influence in his life,'' and he loved to spend as much time with them as he could. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, softball, playing cards, coaching youth sports, playing with grandchildren and most of all playing practical jokes. He was known to say, “A good sense of humor is necessary to a good life.” And he had a great one!

Raymond is survived by his children Paula Winter and her husband, Jon; Michael Papineau and his wife, Linda; Lynn Richards; and Gerald Papineau and his wife, Amy; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by the love of his life, Shirley Papineau; and his siblings Eleanor McKnight, Dorothy “Dot” Orr, Lawrence “Pete” Papineau, Norman Papineau, Robert Papineau and Kenneth Papineau. He was our hero and will be greatly missed.

The family would like to thank Raymond’s hospice care providers, for all of their loving care and support during the past month; and a special thanks to Danielle Sargent for her selfless compassion, support and care. Our deepest gratitude to our sister Lynn for her selfless devotion, companionship and incredible care of our father.

His funeral service and celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the Bethany United Church of Christ, 115 Main Street, Montpelier. Following the service, a time of fellowship and refreshments will take place in the church fellowship hall. Family and friends may call on Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre. A graveside service at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery will be held at the convenience of his family.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre VT 05641.