Raymond A. Bedard

DRACUT - Raymond A. Bedard, age 94, a resident of the New Hampshire Veteran’s Home in Tilton, NH and former longtime resident of Dracut died Friday, October 21, 2022, at the New Hampshire Veteran’s Home.  He was the beloved husband of the late Theresa (Sancartier) Bedard who died in 1987.  

He was born in Lowell on August 22,1928 and was the son of the late Arthur and Marie Laure (Nolet) Bedard.  

Ray attended St Joseph’s of Lowell grammar and high schools and held the distinction of being double promoted twice during his early academic years. He was a brilliant man. Growing up in the Acre section of Lowell, Raymond enjoyed baseball and would often recall stories of his play in the “Twi League” which drew large crowds to Lowell’s North and South Commons back in the 1940s.

Ray proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War where he progressed to the rank of Staff Sergeant before his honorable discharge.

While enjoying a 25 plus year career as an engineer at Raytheon in Andover, MA, Raymond earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from Fitchburg State University and graduated with High Honors. He was also a member of the Raytheon management club. Ray was ahead of his time, often commuting to Raytheon on his 10 speed English Racing bicycle.  

Post retirement, Ray became an accomplished author, having written and published several books, including The Gods of Venus X, Nobody Told Me! and Primer for Walking the Way.

He was a devout Catholic and man of his faith. For many years, Ray was an active communicant of the former St. Louis de France Parish in Lowell. He was also supportive of the Christian Formation Center and led many prayer group meetings over the years. Ray was well known for his efforts to help the less fortunate and he spent many hours as a spiritual counselor serving those under hospice care.

Ray enjoyed watching the Boston Red Sox and tennis and was a member of Toastmasters for many years.  In his younger years, he loved dancing with his wife, Terry, vacationing with the family in Jerusalem, RI and playing cards, tennis, softball, ping pong and shooting pool.

Ray is survived by three daughters, Cherylann Pierce and her husband Larry of New Durham, NH, Ramona Bedard of Pelham, NH and Theresa Campbell and her husband David of Littleton; two sons, Mark Bedard and his wife Tammie, and Matthew Bedard and his wife Jennifer, all of Dracut; 10 grandchildren, Rebbecca Roderick and her husband Matthew, Nicholas Gamache, Nathan Campbell, Beth Campbell, Jordan Bedard, Jeffrey Bedard, Bryan Bedard, Hilary Field, Joshua Bedard and Dana Pierce; four great grandchildren, Nicholas Gamache, Aubrie Roderick, Juliana Roderick and Noelle Louise; his sister-in-law, Mary Jane Bedard, many beloved nieces and nephews and his friends from “The Group”.

He was also the brother of the late Oliver Bedard, Henry Bedard, Alfred Bedard, Raymond Bedard, Rose Corradino, Yvonne Huestis, Alice Burns, Cecile Vincent, Rita Geoffroy and Rolande Gilman. 

Ray’s family would like to thank Cherylann Pierce for all that she did to care for Dad over the last several years of his life.
  

His family would also like to recognize and thank the staffs of the New Hampshire Veteran’s Home and The Arbors Assisted Living Center in Dracut for the care and compassion that they showed him during his stays with them. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Raymond’s Life Celebration at the MCKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell on Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00pm.  His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10:00am at Ste. Marguerite D’Youville Parish in Dracut.  Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery in Chelmsford.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Raymond’s memory to The New Hampshire Veteran’s Home Residential Benefit Fund, 139 Winter St, Tilton, NH 03276.