Raymond Robert Martineau

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Raymond Robert Martineau announce his passing on June 6, 2023 in Texas. Ray was born in Sanford, Maine on December 31,1944 to Joseph Alexandre (Alex) and Maria (Richer) Martineau. Ray was an only child and an energetic boy who was lucky to live on a farm where he was able to use up that energy. He enjoyed his younger years playing and exploring the many acres that his parents owned with his cousins and childhood friends. As he matured his play time became more like farm chores and by helping his dad regularly he learned the value of work, which stuck with him his entire life. As Ray grew into a young man, he enjoyed riding his big bike, an Indian Motorcycle, for several years, riding all over with buddies who were also bikers. In his Junior year of High School, he enlisted in the Marines and served 3 years before returning to his home on the farm in Maine. He went on to receive his GED after his military service. Everyone who knew Ray knew that his service in the Marines was one of the greatest sources of pride in his life. He proudly wore his Marine’s hat when out and about around town, whether in Maine, Texas or anywhere in between. He always acknowledged fellow Marine’s when he met them, often handing out a special card that talked about the brotherhood that only a Marine knows. In a very sweet American love story, the day after Ray returned home from his service in the Marines, he met the very shy Cecile Dube while she was working at the Dairy Queen. It wasn’t long before Ray won over Cecile’s heart with his corny jokes. Ray and Cecile fell in love and on August 6, 1966 they were married. They remained loyal partners to each other for nearly 57 years. They were blessed with 3 children and their spouses; Danny and Wendy, Adele and Vinny and David and Whitney. Ray and Cecile also have 8 grandchildren: Gwendolyn, Jackson, Gavin, Melissa, Harrison, Danica, Larissa and Grayson. Ray managed to balance his work life and family life with the help of his wife. He was able to provide for his family through his many jobs. Ray and his father Alex, ran the family farm for many years while he also worked as a trained mechanist for Pratt & Whitney and Janco. In addition to the farm and his day job, he also owned and managed several multifamily homes in Sanford and Springvale. Managing these properties was a family affair, and he enlisted his wife and children to assist in keeping the apartments in good working order. He kept each apartment in a condition that he would want to live in himself. He took great pride in his buildings and keeping them in good condition for the next generation. Ray’s strong work ethic, that he inherited from his own father, was passed down onto his children by involving them in the chores on the farm and the repairs to the apartments. This was not always appreciated by his children, but as they grew up they realized the lessons they learned and the sacrifices their father made for them. He was a devoted family man, always putting family above all else. Ray and Cecile were active members of the Catholic Church in Sanford and in the mid 80’s they had an opportunity to do something that would truly change people’s lives. They sponsored the Prak family, who had to flee their home country of Cambodia to avoid genocide. Ray and Cecile welcomed the family and were able to provide them housing in their apartment buildings. They later went on to sponsor three other families. Many years and fond memories were spent with the Prak family as they adjusted to life in the US and the Martineau family learned about their beautiful culture. Ray and Cecile considered them part of their extended family and every summer would make sure to have a visit. Ray was especially proud to see how they were able to overcome their hardships and build a new life for their own families. He was happy to be part of their journey and their gratitude and bond remains strong almost 40 years later. Through hard work and dedication, Ray and Cecile were able to spend the last 17 years of their life traveling the United States, spending much of their time between Texas where their youngest son and his family live and Maine near his oldest son and daughter. They made friends all over the country. They truly enjoyed retirement, spending time together and with family and friends who became family. If you were part of their lives, you were treated like family – it didn’t matter how long they knew you – you were one of us. During their marriage and life together Ray and Cecile showed their children what a lifelong marriage should look like including all the love, joy, sadness, hard times, hard work and loyalty that it takes to build a life and family with someone. They showed by example how to live a life of integrity, generosity, kindness and love and we are all left with wonderful memories. Ray touched many lives with his goodness, sense of humor and giant heart. The outpouring of love, prayers and support to his wife and children during this difficult time, from so many people who knew him, has been much appreciated and has provided us with strength as we grieve his loss. He will forever be in our hearts and we will strive to live our lives as he did, with love. Visitation will be held of Friday, August 4th from 8:30 to 9:30 AM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, located at 580 Main Street in Springvale. A Mass of Christian Burial follow at 10:00 AM at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church located on North Avenue in Sanford. Everyone is invited back to the funeral home following the funeral Mass where a memorial luncheon will be held until 1:30 PM. Burial with military honors will be held at 2:00 PM at the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery located on Stanley Road in Springvale. Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.