Name: Kaul Funeral Home
Address: St. Clair Shores, MI

A Page of History: Raymond Francois Lapierre (by: Lauren Barczak - Part 3 of 3)
Ray has eight children, fifteen grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. His life has been full of love and laughter for the last sixty-two years. The love he has for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren is what keeps him going every day, but the love he had for his wife for sixty- two years is what made him who he is today.
                 Recorded by: Lauren Barczak

A Page of History: Raymond Francois Lapierre (by: Lauren Barczak - Part 2 of 3)
When Ray returned to Michigan, with Hazel, his wife, he went to the University of Detroit to earn his bachelor’s degree in business and became an accountant to help support his family.
	Less than a year after they were married, Ray and Hazel welcomed their first child into the world on May 15, 1955. It would be the first son for the couple. In the next eleven years, Ray had two more boys and three girls, making them a family of ten. During this time they built a home in St. Clair Shores, MI, where he still resides. 
	Ray worked twelve hour shifts, five days a week, and half a day on Saturday during tax season. His wife, Hazel, stayed home to raise the kids and help out at any school events. The couple became the dynamic duo. Ray would spend his weekends out in his big garden growing beans, strawberries, tomatoes, corn, cabbage, radishes, onions, broccoli, cucumbers, and cauliflower. He would make it a chore for his daughters to help him weed the garden, plant the seeds, and pick the vegetables. The boys had to clean the basement and cut the grass. 
	Ray and Hazel raised their children to be independent, hardworking, and most important, family orientated. The couple made sure to have dinner as a family every night. The Lapierre family was close and that was not the life Ray had growing up. Ray had an estranged relationship with his two younger brothers, so when it came his children, he raised them to be there for each other through the good and the bad. 

A Page of History: Raymond Francois Lapierre (by: Lauren Barczak - Part 1 of 3)
         It was a cold winter day in Detroit, Michigan, when Alphone and Simone Lapierre welcomed their first child, on January 18, 1928. The French Canadian couple had a son, Raymond Francois Lapierre, at Deaconess Hospital. Raymond, who goes by Ray, also had two younger brothers, Gerard and Robert. 
	Ray grew up in a typical poor neighborhood in Detroit. At the age of seven, Ray lost his father to pneumonia, a hardship he thought he would never have to face. He vividly remembers being told, “You are the man of the house now.” Ray didn’t take those words lightly, as he began working as a newspaper boy while going to school. He learned to balance school and work at a very young age to help out his mother.
        He spent every summer until around the age of 12 or 13 traveling to Quebec, Canada, to work on a farm. He had a passion for raising cattle and harvesting the crops. Being on the farm became his oasis from the life he had in Detroit. When he began attending St. Joseph High School, he left behind the newspaper job, and began working as an elevator operator. After Ray graduated high school in June of 1946, he was drafted into the army. 
	Ray was stationed in Mckees Rocks, Pennsylvania, when he and several other army members went out to the bar after their shift was over to enjoy a drink or two. Ray found the love of his life in that bar. She was a local girl working as a waitress, trying to make ends meet to support her two young children. Ray was intrigued by this beautiful woman, and kept going back, until he bit the bullet and asked her out on a date. That was the start of the love story between Ray and Hazel. 
       After Ray proposed to Hazel, they both decided to move to Michigan. They tied the knot on June 26, 1954. They bought a small home in Roseville, Michigan, where Ray became a father to Hazel’s two sons. 

Raymond Lapierre Sr. Tribute (by: Margaret Meyers - Part 3 of 3)
My grandfather has taught me some valuable lessons in life.  He has taught me what it is like to be nurturing, strong, and maintain an active lifestyle.  Writing this really makes me realize how lucky I am to have a grandfather like him.  I hope someday my children will have a grandfather just like him.  Thanks Grandpa.
                                                                                                                       Margaret Meyers
                                                                                                                       March 18th, 2010


Raymond Lapierre Sr. Tribute (by: Margaret Meyers - Part 2 of 3)
      My grandfather is a strong man.  He had a heart attack when he was 49 years old.  In 2003 he had abdominal surgery for colon cancer.  He’s had open heart surgery twice, the first was in 2004 and the second was in 2009.  He has had a total of six arteries replaced.  His most recent surgery was in December of 2009 when he had to go to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio because he was considered a high risk patient for open heart surgery and he came out with a triple by-pass.  He did not recover as quickly as he did with the first one.  He has had some major complications that involved him going back to the hospital in February of 2010 for a little over two weeks.  But, my grandfather, being the strong person that he is has been recovering at home with the support of his family.  He is anxious to get back to his tax business that he owns with a partner, taking care of his yard and garden, and going fishing with me.
        My grandpa has always been a very active person.  My grandma and grandpa raised eight children and he supported them on his income so my grandma could stay home.  Every time I go over his house he is usually outside “puttsing” in his garden or cleaning his shed, in his workroom, or fixing something.  In the spring we go out and plant flowers all around his house.  He has a very large yard and he is always outside cleaning up the backyard, putting mulch down and cutting the lawn.  I enjoy doing this stuff with my grandpa.  When I was little if he was in a good mood and I got lucky he would let me help him with his plants that he would start from seeds.

Raymond Lapierre Sr. Tribute (by: Margaret Meyers - Part 1 of 3)
 	I am writing my tribute about my Grandfather, Raymond Francois Lapierre, Sr.  He was born in Detroit, Michigan on January 18, 1928 and he is now 82 years old.  My grandfather means a lot to me and I know that my writing this tribute means a lot to him.  We are very close to each other and do many things together.  My grandfather is a very nurturing, strong, and an active person.
        My grandpa has always been very nurturing.  When I was about six years old my parents got divorced.  My mom, sister and I lived with him and my grandma for almost three years.  He was like a father to me.  He taught me how to work hard and to never give up.  I enjoy fishing and when I was a little girl we would get up really early to go fishing on Opal Lake in Gaylord, Michigan.  We don’t go as often as we used to but we still find time to go fishing.  When I was at Princeton Elementary School I would always hear stories about what my friends did on the weekend with their dad.  My grandpa would take me to the school Valentine Daddy Daughter Dance, daddy daughter day, or any activity that would involve a daddy daughter day so I wouldn’t have to miss out.
        

Medical History of Raymond F. Lapierre
Dec 4 1977	Heart Attack (Saratoga Hospital)
May 1978	       Cardiac Catheterization (Hutzel Hospital)
Dec 1998	       Stent - lad (Mt. Clemens Hospital)
May 1999	       Stent - rt iliac (Mt. Clemens Hospital)
Feb 2000	       Left ankle broken; inserted metal plate with 5 screws (St. John Hospital)
Oct 2000	       Cataract Lens Implant
Mar 2003	       Open heart surgery - triple bypass (Mt. Clemens Hospital)
Aug 2004	       Cataract Lens Implant
Feb-May 2005     Blood Transfusions – 6 units (Mt. Clemens Hospital)
May 2005	        Colonoscopy – colon cancer 8” colon reduction (Mt. Clemens Hospital)
Feb 2008	        Cardiac Catheterization (Mt. Clemens Hospital)
Dec 2009	       Open heart surgery – triple bypass (Cleveland Clinic)
Mar 2017	        Pace Maker (Mt. Clemens Hospital)
Apr 2017	Fuchs Dystrophy – Cornea Transplant (Beaumont Hospital)


This was found in a pile of dad’s stuff …
	I WAS INDUCTED (DRAFTED) IN THE ARMY ON MARCH 21, 1951.
	WE BOARDED BUSES IN DETROIT FOR CAMP CUSTER.  UPON ARRIVING, WE WERE GIVEN A PHYSICAL AND RECEIVED ALL OUR ARMY CLOTHING.   WE WERE GIVEN A BUNK AS I STAYED THERE 10 DAYS DOING KITCHEN POLICE, ALSO, CLEANING UP THE OUTSIDE AREA AND OTHER JOBS THAT WERE GIVEN TO RECRUITS.
	ON THE 10TH DAY, WE BOARDED A TROOP TRAIN FOR FORT BLISS AT EL PASO, TEXAS.  WE SPENT THREE DAYS ON THE TRAIN BEFORE WE GOT THERE.  WE WERE DIRTY, IN THE SAME CLOTHES, SLEPT ON THE HARD TRAIN SEATS AND HAD BOX MEALS.
	I RECEIVED MY BASIC TRAINING AT FORT BLISS.  AT THE END OF BASIC TRAINING, I WAS ASSIGNED TO A 90MM GUN BATTERY.  THERE WERE FOUR (4) GUNS TO EACH BATTERY AND FOUR BATTERIES TO A BATTALION.
	THE BATTALION THAT I WAS ASSIGNED TO WAS AN OHIO NATIONAL GUARD BATTALION FROM COLUMBUS AND SURROUNDING AREA.  
I BECAME BATTERY CLERK BECAUSE OF MY BUSINESS EDUCATION AND PRIMARILY BECAUSE I COULD TYPE.
	WE WENT OUT INTO THE DESERT FOR A WEEK AT A TIME ON EXCERCISES SHOOTING AT A SLEEVE THAT WAS PULLED BY AN AIRPLANE.  WE HAD TO COME CLOSE TO THE SLEEVE WITHOUT HITTING IT.
	DURING OUR STAY FOR ADVANCE TRAINING I WAS PICKED TO GO TO KOREA.  MY BATTERY COMMANDER WHO WAS A CAPTAIN WHO HAD BEEN IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR WAS ABLE TO GET ME OFF ORDERS AS THEY HAD NO ONE TO TAKE MY PLACE.
	IN DECEMBER OF 1951, THE BATTALION WAS ORDERED TO FORT __________ AT HARRISBURG, PA.  OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICER WAS IN CHARGE OF THE EQUIPMENT TRAIN (IT MOVED ALL THE BATTALION GUNS (16) AND EQUIPMENT (TRUCKS BULLDOZERS ETC).  AS HIS WIFE AND BABY WERE AT FORT BLISS, HE ASKED ME TO DRIVE THEM HOME TO DAYTON.  THIS I DID, AS IT ENABLED ME TO BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS.  IT TOOK US THREE DAYS TO GET TO DAYTON AS I HAD TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY, AS SHE COULD NOT DRIVE.
	I REPORTED TO HARRISBURG, PA RIGHT AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.  I WAS STATIONED AT HARRISBURG UNTIL MARCH AT WHICH TIME WE WERE SENT TO PITTSBURGH, PA.

Dear Lapierre family,

Our fond memories of Ray go back many decades, and are closely associated with both our dear Uncle and Dad with whom he was partner.  Ray was a man of great integrity, competence, humor, and kindness  a truly blessed combination to experience in a person! That positive personality was still shining through when I saw him last year, when he told me it was probably the last time we would see each other (on this earth).  
We are truly thankful for Ray's life, for his contribution to us all in deed and example!  Your family and Ray are in our thoughts are prayers.
Yours truly,

This gentleman, Ray Lapierre, was my Dad's partner for nearly 40 years.  He was a great man, a true friend, a man of honor, integrity, honesty, intelligence, generosity, and good humor.  He was a loyal and true friend to me, attending all my childrens' weddings, caring about my family, and such a wonderful business partner to my Dad.  He personified the qualities of success in American business, incredibly hard work, unfailing devotion to his clients' well-being and a constant positive spirit!  When my mom was down at home with fatal disease and Dad stayed with her rather than going to work, Ray unquestioningly worked incredible hours to keep the business thriving until Dad could return.  An incredible great man.  A child of God.  A personal hero of mine.  Despite his 80-100 hour work weeks, his greatest love was his family and his wife Hazel.  He's one of the handful of  people who make me proud to be alive to know.  Ray Lapierre, I will never forget you.  Love to all the family.  Milton Pollock

Ray was a wonderful friend of my family for many years.  He worked with my father and uncle at Pollock and Richard, and I saw him often when I was growing up. Ray was always friendly, cheerful, and a lot of fun to talk to. He was very helpful with tax and accounting work for my husband Tom's business, and Tom and I both truly valued Ray's friendship.

I have known Ray since 1975 when I worked for him at Pollock and Richard.  He later took care of my company's accounting and tax work until P&R was sold.  He was always smiling, happy to see you, and ready to help.  He was a good friend and a good man.

I had the pleasure of seeing Ray at least once a year for deer season.  I'm going to miss being able to talk with him this November and deer hunting won't be the same.

I briefly worked with Ray doing tax returns.    He was always very helpful and I truly enjoyed his company.  He was one of the good ones.

I worked with Ray in the accounting/tax business.   He was at the end of his career when our paths crossed, but he still had incredible energy.  He will be remember as a good man that treated everyone around him well.

OBITUARY

Mr. Raymond F. Lapierre Sr

January 18, 1928 – January 1, 2018

Kaul Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services