Raymond Howard "Tojo" Lashombe

Raymond Howard "Tojo" Lashombe, 82, died September 4th, at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA after complications stemming from a recently diagnosed brain tumor.

He was born on January 29, 1926 in Worcester, MA and later moved to Massena, NY where he lived until 1946 when he moved to Southbridge, MA.  He served in the Army post World War II as a Medical Corpsman in Japan.  He married Pearl Freeman in 1948 and moved to Sturbridge in 1956. He worked for CPC Engineering in Sturbridge as a metal grinder for 30 years before retiring after which he worked in the Banquet Department of the Sheraton Hotel Sturbridge.  He enjoyed his long-time membership to the American Legion Post #109.  He lived at Autumn Ridge in Fiskdale for the past 17 years.

He is survived by his grandchildren who loved him dearly, Scott Raymond Leduc of Sturbridge, Sharron McCarthy and her husband Robert of Bedford, NH and Kristina O'Connell and her husband Timothy of Wilmington, MA. He also leaves five great grand children, Scott Craig, Callie Rose, Tess Marie, Elly Pearl and Lana Jade. His wife Pearl died in 1986 and his daughter, Beverly Leduc and her husband Arthur of Sturbridge, MA predeceased him in 2000. Ray "Tojo" was known for his sense of humor and optimistic outlook on life despite his blindness and deafness.  He will be remembered for his daily walks along Route 20 in Fiskdale on which he visited his many friends along the way. One of his greatest joys was riding on the back of a tandem bicycle with his grandchildren sometimes riding up to 35 miles at a time. He loved traveling and was always willing to go on an adventure.  He appreciated the services of Tri-Valley Elder Care and the assistance he received from the Association for the Blind.  He remained independent and upbeat until he succumbed to his illness. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13th at 9:00 a.m. in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Southbridge.  There are no calling hours.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the Foundation Fighting Blindness at 800.683.5555 or go to www.blindness.org.

The Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, is directing arrangements.

morrillfuneralhome.com