Raymond J. Potvin

NEW BEDFORD--Raymond Joseph Potvin, age 91, passed away peacefully in his home on December 26 after a brief illness, in the company of his family. He was the husband of Lucille (Michaud) Potvin, with whom he shared 65 years of marriage.

Born in New Bedford, son of Albert Potvin and Medora (Bernier) Potvin, he was a lifelong resident of the city.

He attended Saint Anthony School in the city’s North End from 1934 until 1944. He worked for First National Stores from 1944 to 1982, and was well known at the company’s Finast supermarket on King’s Highway. He worked for a local lumber yard from 1983 to 1993. His working life also included painting and carpentry for family, friends, and neighbors, lending his time freely and generously.

He proudly served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953, stationed mainly in Asmara, Eritrea in east Africa, as a Morse code high speed intercept operator with top secret clearance.

His greatest joy was being surrounded by his family. He took great pride in his home and always made sure that holidays and family gatherings were special. In his youth, he played baseball, and he became a lifelong Yankees fan after attending the 1949 World Series in New York. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s many games, recitals, and performances.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Robert, Anne and her husband David Duggan, Ron and his wife Ashley, and Janet, and his ten grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and an extended family that will miss him greatly. He was preceded in death by his sister Vivian.

Private arrangements are under the direction of Rock Funeral Home. For online tributes, please visit: www.rock-funeralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org.