I was telling a story about Mr. Drouin tonight and looked to see if I could find a picture of him. I am so sad to learn of his passing. Condolences and prayers to the family still, I cannot imagine the loss you are still feeling. Mr. Drouin was one of my all time favorite teachers. I think he influenced the way I teach to this day. 

He was always there for his students and would listen anytime you needed him. 

I have two favorite memories of him. He and I debated one day about whether a tree falling in the woods would make a sound. I said yes, his response was how would you know. After a few minutes of debate, he picked up a Kleenex box from his desk, threw it against the wall, and passionately said, “Would that have made a noise?” To which I responded, yes because it did. 

My second favorite memory…I had taken a class with Mr. Drouin my junior year, then had to sign up for any class my senior year I could with him. Well, my sister, two grades behind me was also in this class. First day of class, Mr. Drouin was going over classroom expectations. He was stating that you could bring a water bottle with a lid you could close, walked by my desk and grabbed my water as an example…then walked to my sister sitting in front of me and said, “You can’t bring a pop or something that can’t seal to class because of this.” He opened my water bottle and dumped it on my sister. I have never laughed harder listening to classroom expectations in my entire life. He came up to me after class and I high fived him, and we laughed together. My sister smelled like my strawberry water all day! 

I will always try to live up to Mr. Drouin’s legacy as a teacher myself now. Rest easy Mr. Drouin, you were loved by so many, and changed so many lives for the better. Even if you didn’t know it at the time!

I just learned on Aug 8, 2020 about Ray's passing earlier this year, when Joan Austin posted something about it on the neighborhood Facebook page. I am so sorry and pass along sympathy and prayers to Lori , Mike and Justin, and family.  Ray took care of my yard for many years, and it was always good to see and talk with him.  On more than one occasion, he also helped me with other problems around my house.  I appreciate all the many kindnesses he showed me.  Before Ray took care of my yard, Mike and Justin mowed for me and helped me as well.  I have much gratitude and many fond memories of the whole family, and wish all of you peace and love.  So glad I got to know all of you.  So sorry about your loss.

Ray Drouin was one of my favorite teachers at O-E. No, I didn't have him as a teacher, I was a secretary there. My three children learned Western Civilization under Ray's tutelage, and they all admired his passion for the subject. He taught with great conviction so that they understood what he was excited about. But I loved the way he lived his life. His devotion to teaching was unparalleled. His love of family, his pride in community, all of those things and more are what I will remember about Ray. He was a bit of a joker, too. I will remember him fondly.

So very sorry for the loss of such a wonderful man. Always so kind to me especially being the new kid a few times at OE.  He is who I tell my kiddos was my favorite teacher. Fond memories.

Bernard J Drouin Sorry for the family loss, I am part of the same generation as Raymond and Joe and you dad and mine (Edgar) were in the previous generation of which none are left (Robert) was the last. Soon there will be no one to remember the Alphonse Drouin. We all had some good times in Lansing and now I am living in Denmark so will not be back to the  states but I do have s email address (bdrouin@yahoo.com) so would like to hear from some of you. I was at the family reunion nr 1 and 2 and also for Roberts. Best regards to all, Bernie

Mr.Drouin was a amazing man he was not just a teacher to me he was a mentor and friend 
He was a legendary story teller (the story of vlad the impailer was the best) 
You will be missed my friend

Alex Bennett - Ovid-Elsie Class of 2005

Not to take anything away from all of the other great teachers I had at Ovid-Elsie High School, but Mr. Drouin was truly in a league of his own. He was born to be a teacher, and possessed every element that makes a great one. Passion, compassion, sympathy, understanding, and dignity. He treated every student as if they were his own children, and set aside his personal beliefs to deliver education. If anyone ever produces a movie about an inspiring teacher, to coach the future generations of teachers on how to properly teach, it would be about Mr. Drouin. The gentle-being and compassion of a Mr. Rogers, and the passion of teaching of a Tom Izzo, Mr. Drouin was not just an amazing teacher, he was an amazing person.

I have too many stories to share about the man, but two of my favorite are:

In World History class, the first minute of the first class, he told everyone: "In this class, we're going to study 4 major religions. Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism. Just so you know, I have my own beliefs, but at no point will I push my beliefs onto you, nor will I shed a better light onto my beliefs and a negative light onto others. I'm here to teach you the facts and history, and let you decide what to believe, if you choose to believe any of them at all."

I will NEVER forget that. The amount of open-mindedness it takes to not only say that, but to actually live up to it, is far and few between. We would cover an entire religion before moving onto the next one - and each one he became a "minister" of that religion, giving each one complete equal opportunity. In that same class, one day after lunch break, in our class of about 15 students, about 10 of us were sleeping as the bell rang to start the class (we were a lively bunch). Mr. Drouin walked into the class room, stopped and looked around the room with a bewildered look on his face, picked up the trash can, and through it across the room. Everything inside the can went flying around the room. Everyone woke up to attention, a little scared as to what was about to happen next. He smiled ear-to-ear and said, "Oh good! I have your attention! Let's learn some world history today!" Everyone busted out laughing, he turned pink in laughter, and turned around to start writing on the board. The trash laid on the floor the entire hour of class, and he frequently kicked things out of his way with a chuckled as he paced back and forth around the room. When I talk about passion, that's the story from him that comes to mind.

My 2nd story is of his compassion and how he treated everyone like his own children. I transferred to another school half-way through my Senior year, right after finishing that World History class. At the end of the last day of that class in 2005, in an empty room of just us two, I approached him with a gift I had for him before I left, which ended up being the last time I saw Mr. Drouin. My brother just returned from the Iraq war and had Iraqi currency (Dinars) with Saddam Hussein's face on them. I had a stack of bills about 1-inch thick that I placed into his palm. His eyes lit up with joy, he flipped through the money multiple times, and just as quickly, his eyes welled up and a single tear dripped from the outside corner of one of his eyes. He gave me a huge hug, patted me on the back and said, "This is an amazing gift, Alex.. Thank you.. You take care of yourself, alright?" That was 15 years ago, and I remember it like it was yesterday. One of those rare moments in your life that leaves a lasting impression.

To all of the great memories, inspiration, and life lessons, Mr. Drouin, I thank you.

May you rest and peace, and may we meet again one day!

This wonderful man made Permanent impression on my life .  He was the best teacher ever. Our prayers are with your family . 

Sincerely ,

Brian S Proctor 
Class of 1997

I remember what a kind and helpful teacher he was at O E. May he rest in peace.

As both an Ovid-Elsie Graduate and a current Ovid-Elsie Teacher, Ray was a genuine, caring joy to be around.  His passion was obvious to all.  His dedication to his students was always obvious.  His humor never wavered.  Ray was a man that belonged in a classroom.  Ray did not play politics but always put his efforts into what made his classroom a place students looked forward to going.  The question was whether it would bee a stand on the desk,w or a throw something day.   Ranging from teachers in the woodshop playing cards in the loft, teachers smoking in the teacher lounge to the fight to be politically correct and still be true to your vision of teaching, Ray bridged generations.  For those of us that were there the day he retired, 10 and 2 may always be a laugh. 
From the comments, it is obvious how big of an influence Ray was on countless people.  Your legacy is strong.  Rest Now.

Mr Drouin was my favorite teacher in high school. We called his class “Uncle Ray’s Story Hour”. He inspired me to study History in college, he wrote a recommendation for me to study History in grad school though he hadn’t seen me in 15 years, and I remember how pleased he was to learn I had written a History book. He was an inspiration and will be missed. 

Eryk Tahvonen & family
Chicago, IL

I worked with Ray for several years at Ovid-Elsie High School. He was a kind and compassionate teacher and colleague who always made time to listen to students. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.

very good teacher. level headed and could talk history non-stop without putting you to sleep! a great accomplishment for a h.s. teacher! he really loved his drafting though.condolences to family..... hard to let the generations go...

He was one of my favorite teachers, had many fond memories of him in class. Great teacher will be missed!

You were a great story teller and a great teacher. Rest in peace.

Randy Lyon

Mr. Drouin taught both of our children World History.  He was a great teacher and we have many great stories of his talent!  He will be missed, but never forgotten.    Cindy & Terry Broome

Mr. Drouin was an amazing history teacher. I remember one class he was so into his lecture that he threw a Kleenex box against the wall. Another time he threw a chair in the hall and it almost hit the vice principal who was walking by the room. The vice principal came running in thinking a student was being rowdy and instead saw a very amused room. I often think of Mr. Drouin and his stories and hope that I inspire even a half of the love of history into my students that he inspired into my life. RIP Mr. Drouin. You will never be forgotten.

OBITUARY

Raymond Edward Drouin

March 9, 1946 – April 26, 2020

Gorsline Runciman Tiffany Chapel

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