Raymond Louis Bilodeau

Raymond Louis Bilodeau

Eliot, Maine – Raymond Louis Bilodeau, 91 of State Road, in Eliot, died on April 12, 2014 at his home following a period of failing health.

Born on February 2, 1923 in Nashua, N.H. he was a son of Louis and Rosilda (Dionne) Bilodeau.

Ray proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy, serving in World War II and Korea. He earned many medals and commondations including the Atlantic/Pacific Campaign Medal with nine combat stars. He worked under treacherous conditions as a Navy Diver, serving aboard the USS Conner DD 582 and as a torpedoman second class.

He met and nearly sixty-nine years ago married his loving wife Christine (Shapleigh) Bilodeau and together they have made a home and raised a wonderful family.

Ray retired from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1979 with 32 years of service in Shop 38 the outside machine shop and Shop 31 the inside machine shop. After retirement he continued working, serving the Eliot Police Department as a reserve officer for the department.

He served his community as a member of the Eliot Fire Department for many years, for 15 he served as a Lieutenant and Maine State Fire Warden. He was a lifetime member of the Maine State Federation of Firefighters and the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers.

He is survived by his loving family, his wife Christine of Eliot, daughters; Diane Ertz and her husband Michael of Columbia, MD, Dale Clough and her husband Steven of Eliot, ME, and Denise Jackson and her husband Mark of High Point, NC, seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren whom he adored.

Friends are invited to visit with Ray's family on Wednesday from 4-6pm in the JS Pelkey Funeral Home 125 Old Post Road Kittery Maine 03904, where a memorial service will be celebrated following visitation at 6pm in the funeral home. Family flowers only. In lieu of flowers donations may be made if desired in his memory to Neurofibromatosis, Inc. Northeast, 9 Bedford Street, Burlington,Mass., 01803 or to the Eliot Fire Department, 1333 State Road, Eliot, ME 03903. Care for the Bilodeau family is entrusted to the JS Pelkey Funeral Home.

Visit www.fosters.com/obits for an online guest book.