Raymond J Perrone, Jr.

Raymond John Perrone, Jr.,69, passed away unexpectedly at UMass Hospital on June 4, 2022 (his birthday) with his family by his bedside. He was predeceased by his loving parents, Raymond and Barbara Perrone.

Ray- Ray, as he was lovingly referred to, was raised in the Lake View area of Worcester. As a child he loved to ride his bike with his family and friends to nearby Lake Quinsigamond where he spent many wonderful days swimming and hanging out at Regatta Point. He loved the lake and lived on its shore for the last 30 years of his life. He fondly referred to it as, "Water- Front Ray's".

Ray-Ray was very skilled baseball player. He was an all-star pitching sensation in the Jack Barry Little League and later in high school was a standout for the powerful Catholic schools, Sacred Heart Academy and St. Peters High School.

Ray was very outgoing and a larger- than -life figure in the neighborhood. His scale went from being an altar boy at St. Margaret Mary's Church to landing the leading role in the sixth-grade play at Lake View School. Always the showman and promoter even at a young age he loved to entertain and perform for people. He was an accomplished musician (guitar and keyboard) who at 13 years of age started his first band, "The Sea of Tranquility". This love for music and performing continued until his passing. He formed and performed in a local band, Drive South, which was a well-known band in the Worcester club scene. His greatest performances however were enjoyed amongst and with his family. Whether it was a clam bake, wiffle ball game, cookout, or family gathering, Ray-Ray was the host and toast of the hour.

He especially enjoyed holidays spent with his relatives, whether it was eating at the dinner table, having drinks in the kitchen, or watching sports on television; he loved family company.

As an adult Ray started an entertainment company, RP Productions, which was instrumental in promoting RB and Rock and Roll bands in the 80's and 90's, booking such acts as the Platters, Three Dog Night, Blood Sweat and Tears, and John Caffery and the Beaver Brown Band. Ray loved public firework displays; he worked with well-known Pyrotechnicians creating highlight firework shows performed with music concerts in the greater Central New England area. His most memorable event took place in 1998, "The Hope Fest Concert", featuring David Clayton Thomas and Blood Sweat and Tears, performing at East Park, Worcester, followed by a spectacular firework display which illuminated the night sky over Shrewsbury Street.

An avid and accomplished golfer over the years, Ray was a member at Wachusett Golf Club in West Boylston, where he enjoyed countless rounds of golf and developed many longstanding friendships

He will be sadly missed by all who loved his passion for fun, friendship and good times. Raymond cherished the times spent with his beloved son, Michael, whom he loved immensely, and especially, Denise Lamoureux, his life-long companion, love and devoted soul mate with whom he lived the past 37 years of his life.

Ray-Ray is survived by his siblings, Robert Perrone and his wife Wendy, their children, Jeffrey and Brett his sister Patricia Tomasetta and her husband, Arthur Tomasetta Jr., their children Anthony and Deanna, his afore-mentioned son, Michael Perrone, and girlfriend, Denise Lamoureux, many additional cousins, aunts and uncles, too numerous to mention.

Calling Hours will be on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, from 4 PM until 8 PM in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester.  His Funeral will be on Thursday, June 16, from the funeral home, departing in procession at 9:40 a.m. to a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass at Saint Stephen’s Church, 357 Grafton Street, Worcester.  Interment will follow at Saint John’s Cemetery, Worcester.