Raymond J. Levesque

Raymond J. "Ray" Levesque, 63, of Sanford, died March 8 at his home after a brief illness.He was born in Sanford on April 10, 1947, a son of Ernest J. and Bernadette (Melanson) Levesque, Sr. He attended Sanford schools and was a 1965 graduate of St. Ignatius High School.Ray was a 23 year veteran of the US Air Force and served a tour in Viet Nam. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked as a civilian employee with the US Navy, both at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the Brunswick Naval Air Station, retiring last month due to illness.He had been a communicant of St. Ignatius Church.Through his children, Ray became involved in youth athletics. He volunteered countless hours with the Sanford Springvale Youth Athletic Association in many capacities including coach, referee, umpire, league commissioner and member of the board of directors. There was many a time when the SSYAA had an unfilled volunteer position which Ray would gladly fill. One winter, he ran four of the six basketball leagues sponsored by the SSYAA. Ray also served as an umpire with the Sanford Springvale Little League.As much as Ray loved the kids of SSYAA, when his grandchildren came along, he retired from his various capacities there and focused his energies on them. They became the center of his life.Ray is survived by his wife of 42 years, Peggy (Gates) Levesque of Sanford, a daughter, Pamela Brown, her husband Kenneth and their children Lindsay, Lauren and Anna of Sanford, a son, Troy Levesque, his wife Jennifer and their children Alexander and Connor of Lyman, a son Wayne Levesque, his wife Misty and her daughter Samantha of Waterville, a son, Raymond Levesque of Clearwater, FL, his mother, Bernadette Levesque of Sanford, four brothers, Donald Levesque of Sanford, Ernest Levesque, Jr. and his wife Lori of Sanford, Steven Levesque of Sanford, Mark Levesque and his wife Sandy of Limerick, 4 sisters, Nancy St. Jean and her husband Carl of Lyman, Elaine Hartley and her husband Steve of Springvale, Sandra Morin of Manchester, NH, Susan Guillemette and her husband Jeff of Sanford, and by many nieces and nephews.Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street, Sanford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11:00 AM at the Holy Family Church of St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, 66 North Avenue, Sanford. Burial with full military honors will be in the spring.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, 66 North Avenue, Sanford, ME 04073.Arrangements are under the direction of the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street, Sanford. Condolences may be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.