Raymond J Paradis

Raymond J. Paradis, of Worcester, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, October 13th, 2013 with the family he cherished by his side. He was 94. Ray, one of nine children, was born in St. Isadore, Canada to Pierre and Marie (Ferland) Paradis. As a young child, his family moved to Worcester where he attended Worcester Boys Trade. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II, serving notably with General George Patton's third Army, taking part in the battles of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, the Battle of the Bulge, Ardennes and Central Europe, and earning several battle stars, including the Purple Heart. Upon his return, Ray met and married his dear wife, Marion Leary and they settled in the Grafton Hill section of Worcester to raise their eight children. He has lived in Worcester ever since. Ray's employed years centered on building things. Good with his hands, Ray became a mason and bricklayer for the International Brotherhood of Bricklayers and Masons local #3, working mainly for Granger and Prunier Construction Companies on many of the local, state and New England building projects before retiring. Ray's wife Marion (Leary) Paradis passed away in 1973, his son Francis "Frank" Paradis in 2005 and his granddaughter, Katie Linde in 2007. He is survived by the family he loved so much who affectionately called him Pépé, Kathleen Linde, her husband Kurt, and their children, Nicole, Justin, Patrick, Sean and Timothy, M. Jean Boucher, her husband Paul, and their daughter Julia, Nancy M. Brunelle, her husband Raymond, and their children, Christopher and Kelsey, Carol Sullivan, her husband Ed, and their children, Michaela, Kaitlin, Patrick and Michael, Thomas J. Paradis with whom he lived, Donna Ostrowski, her husband Michael, and their children, Matthew and Noelle, Christina Devanney, her husband Michael, and their children, Cameron, Casey and McKenna; a brother, Noel Paradis, sister, Jeannine Paradis; six great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. Three brothers, Omer, Herve, and Robert and three sisters, Marguerite, Bertha and Georgette also predeceased him. Ray was a member of St. Stephen's Church, the Worcester Detachment of the Marine Corps League and the Grafton Hill American Legion Post 323. An avid golfer, Ray was a member of Pine Ridge in Oxford, Raceway in Thompson CT, Strawberry Hills in Leicester and Dennis Pines at the Cape and could be found on these golf courses. Most notably, Ray is one of the very few that has two holes in one recorded during his golf years, the last coming at the age of 83. Ray also liked to play pitch on Tuesdays at the Tuttle Post in Auburn and truly enjoyed his summers with his family in Old Orchard Beach in Maine. He was also a devoted New England sports fan. Ray's funeral Mass will be held Thursday at 11:00 am in St. Stephen's Church, 357 Grafton Street. Burial will be private. There are no calling hours. Memorial remembrances in his name can be made to the Grafton Hill Post Legion Baseball team, 181 Lake Ave Worcester 01604. The Paradis family would like to thank the staff of UMass Hospitals Trauma/Neuro ICU, for their care, compassion and comfort during a difficult time. The MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street is honored to assist the family with arrangements.