Stephen V. Raymond

Stephen V. Raymond

Jan. 06, 1948 - Sept. 07, 2016

SOUTH BEND - Stephen V. Raymond, 68, died after a near year-long battle with endocrine cancer on Sept 7, 2016 in South Bend, IN.

Steve was born January 6, 1948, in High Bridge, NJ and spent his early childhood in Boston and New Jersey. His family moved to South Bend in 1957. Steve graduated from John Adams High School in 1966 and studied in the Program of Liberal Studies at the University of Notre Dame earning his B.A. degree in 1970. While at Notre Dame, Steve was one of four Collegiate Scholars given the unique opportunity to spend his senior year on a special project. Steve chose the topic: “How Men Come to Claim to Know Something.” He addressed the topic utilizing the writings of noted authors in philosophy, history, and theology. During his student years Steve was active in the anti-war movement and in May 1970 was instrumental in a local petition drive supporting Father Hesburgh's call to stop the Viet Nam War. His passion for progressive issues and ideas --- local, national and worldwide --- continued throughout his life.

Steve also had a passion for literature and in 1971 established Pandora's Books, the first used bookstore in Michiana. For 45 years Pandora's thrived in the Northeast neighborhood adjacent to Notre Dame Campus, providing students and neighbors with a low-cost source for used and new books, textbooks, magazines and newspapers.

A few years later, Steve - along with siblings Michael, Marc and Mary - opened “the distributors”, a wholesaler selling hard-to-find books from small, mid-sized and alternative presses to retail stores across the U.S. and Canada. Steve was a pioneer in the wholesale book business and in 1976 “the distributors” purchased a 30,000 square foot warehouse in downtown South Bend where it sold to retail bookstores, libraries and schools for over 40 years.

At “the distributors”, Steve met and married his wife, the former Linda Speckman from Oconomowoc, WI. With the addition of son Noah in 1993, Steve switched his focus from long hours working on his various businesses to raising and enjoying his son. Steve became an active member of the Irish Aquatics Swim Club (where Noah swam) and he was often helping at swim meets or working the concession stand at Notre Dame Football games to help raise money for the Club.

Preceding Steve in death are parents Lisa and Vince Raymond. Surviving are wife, Linda and son, Noah. Also surviving are brothers, Michael (Susie) Raymond of Cornelius, NC, Joseph (Carol) Raymond of South Bend, IN, and Marc (Suzanne) Raymond of South Bend, IN, sisters Mary Raymond (Kevin Jones) of New York, NY, Lily (William Schmidt) Raymond of St. Louis, MO, and Katherine (Jerry Michel) Raymond of Chicago, IL and nine nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Gathering will be held at McGann Hay University Chapel, 2313 E. Edison Road, South Bend, IN 46615, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Monday Sept 12, 2016. There will be a time for sharing memories starting at noon. Private family burial of his ashes will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Notre Dame.

Memorial contributions may be made in Steve's memory to The Hospice House of South Bend, 111 Sunnybrook Ct, South Bend, IN 46637. To send condolences to the family or for directions log on to: www.mcgannhay.com.