Raymond J Goucher

South Portland - Raymond "Ray" John Goucher, 98, formerly of Providence Ave and Little Sebago Lake, died on January 30, 2018, at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House. He was born in Portland, a son of the late John and Sarah (Burke) Goucher. He graduated from Cheverus High School, in 1937, and in 1940 he received his AD in Business from Bay Path Business College, Springfield, MA. During the early 1940's, Ray worked at the South Portland Shipyard, followed by employment at Swearingen Motors, which became Norman-David Lincoln Mercury, as a bookkeeper and general manager, until retiring in 1987. Ray was the first treasurer of the Holy Cross Credit Union, which he and his wife, Jeannette, started in their home on Providence Ave., until it moved to a Cottage Road location, where he worked for 30 years. Ray was a lifetime and devoted communicant of Holy Cross Church and took numerous leadership roles in the church building fund drives. He also served as Treasurer of the Little Sebago Lake Mount Hunger Shore Road Association during the founding years in the 1960's. He was particularly noted for his love of family life, his unwavering devotion to his wife, and the principles of his Roman Catholic Faith. He loved spending weekends at the camp on Little Sebago with family and friends. Among his enjoyments were mornings having coffee on the porch, watching the sunrise sparkle on the water until it reached the shore; catching and eating fish for breakfast; lots of water skiing with his children; boat touring with friends; and playing numerous card games. The camp was a labor of love. Since 1959, Ray and Jeannette cleared the land, built never ending steps, constructed a long driveway, made a sandy beach, walked in two miles to shovel snow off the roof, moved a lot of rocks to make walls, and created a vegetable garden, and all with lots of help from family and friends. Over the years, the camp earned its name "Slave Labor Camp!" It was his pride and joy. The family would like to express a special thank you to Ray's generous neighbors who kept his driveway free of snow, and Dr. Zeitlin for Ray's excellent care over the years, the Maine Medical Emergency Department and the 7th Floor staff for their expertise and compassion, and especially to the staff at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for their comfort and kindnesses to Ray and his family during his final days. Ray was predeceased by the love of his live and wife of 54 years, Jeannette; a son, Robert Goucher; a daughter, Elizabeth Bond; and a brother, Harold Goucher. Ray is survived by three daughters, retired Army COL Marie Shelden and her husband Gilbert of FL, Rita Dunton and her partner Charlie Bangs of Buxton; Elaine Goucher and her husband Rick Nelson of Hanover; a son, Peter Goucher and his wife Brenda of Hollis; four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, February 4, 2018, from 1:00pm to 3:00PM, at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited in the Chapel at 10:15AM on Monday, February 5, 2018, followed by an 11:00am Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. To view Ray's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com Memorial contributions may be made in Ray's memory to Catholic Charities of Maine, P.O. Box 10660, Portland, ME 04104