Raymond F. Desmarais

LOWELL – Raymond F. Desmarais "Desi", 89, a longtime Greater Lowell businessman and community leader who lived in the Belvidere section of the city, passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, at the VA Hospice in Bedford, surrounded by his devoted children. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Barbara (Bell) Desmarais.


Raymond was born in Fall River, MA on August 10, 1932, a son of the late Omer S. and Mary (McGough) Desmarais. He graduated from Bishop Coyle High School in Taunton, MA. He was a Veteran of the United States Air Force who served during the Korean War. After his honorable service, he attended Boston University.

A civil engineer, Raymond worked for the Middlesex County Highway Department for many years before starting his own land surveying business, Desmarais Associates, Inc. where he worked alongside his eldest son, David, until his retirement.

Raymond was a proud Lowellian who moved to the city with his wife in 1959. A gifted athlete who credited sports with giving his early life direction and meaning, he excelled at every sport he ever played. He played softball for many teams during his early years in Lowell, including Monument Café and the Chiefs. He was a fixture at Harry Allen Field in Centralville. An avid golfer, he was a member of Long Meadow Golf Club. He also bowled with the Immaculate Conception Bowling League and was a member of the Lafayette Club.

His proudest contribution to Lowell was in creating opportunities for the city's youth through sports. He coached dozens of teams and hundreds of young men in baseball, basketball and hockey. In 1973, he was a co-founder of the Lowell Youth Skating Association ("LYSA") and served as its first President. In addition to youth hockey, the LYSA offered the first US Figure Skating Association accredited badge program for the boys and girls of greater Lowell. The hockey and figure skating programs have served thousands of young athletes over the years and is now known as the Greater Lowell Youth Skating Association.

In the mid-1970's, Raymond co-founded the Lowell Major League for high school age ballplayers – one team from every section of the city – all playing at Alumni Field. Raymond coached the first Shedd Park Red Sox team in this city-wide league. His favorite title always, besides Dad, was Coach.

A lover of local politics and political gab, Raymond was involved in many campaigns and served as a member of the Democrat Committee in Ward 1. He served as Chairman of the Lowell Zoning Board of Appeals for over a decade. He loved City Hall and its energy.

A musician who could sing, Raymond could play any song by ear on either his guitar or the piano. As an artist, he worked beautifully in pen and ink.

He is survived by his four devoted children: David B. Desmarais of Lowell; Elizabeth E. Desmarais and her partner Paul Abruzzi of Amesbury;
Susan K. Palmer and her husband Jim of Paris, Maine; and Daniel T. Desmarais and his wife Heather of Lowell; a grandson, Henry Raymond Desmarais and two granddaughters, Nell Elizabeth Franchek and Ava Barbara Desmarais. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Natalie C. Bell of Westwood and many nieces and nephews. He is also predeceased by his only sibling, Lt. Col. Arthur J. Desmarais (North Kingstown, RI).

Relatives and friends are invited to Raymond's Life Celebration at the McKenna-Ouellette Funeral Home, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell from 4 until 8pm on Monday, November 15. His funeral services will be private. Donations in Raymond's memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 www.woundedwarriorproject.org For directions or condolences, please visit www.mckennaouellette.com