Ray A. Drouin

We regret to share that at age 91 (almost 92) Ray A. Drouin peacefully went home to be with his Heavenly Father in the early morning of May 19, 2024, at his residence after a long bout with Alzheimer's.
Starting at the very beginning of Ray's life, he was born on July 8, 1932, in Casselman, Ontario, Canada, and grew up in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. Both Casselman and Cornwall are considered Franco-Ontario communities as 50% of the population speaks French even in the 21st Century. Thus, French was Ray's mother tongue.
In Ray's early twenties, he landed in Rochester, New York, and he soon made the U.S. his homeland and was a loyal U.S. patriot. He loved this country and never missed a Memorial Day – 4th of July fireworks or Labor Day parades. During Ray's early days in Rochester, to earn money to support his young family, Ray started a roofing business with his brother – Drouin Brothers Roofing!
In 1969, Ray, the entrepreneur extraordinaire, became the co-owner and President of Hi-Qual Building Materials until 1999. It was the second-largest building supply company in the greater Rochester community. He then became the president of Hi-Qual Management & Storage Company, LLC from 2009 until 2019. Clients could always count on Ray being at Hi-Qual 24/7 to meet their needs above their expectations. Hi-Qual was a major part of Ray's life! Another significant part of Ray's time was his Toastmasters International 476 Club membership, and he even achieved the opportunity to compete in the Toastmasters New York State speech contest in Binghamton, New York, Ray recognized the importance of communication!
Ray celebrated his 90th birthday two years ago with over 100 attendees gathering to wish him good health and happiness, Mayor Malik Evans officially proclaimed that July 10th will be known as "Ray Drouin Day," in honor of Ray's 90th birthday. Mayor Evans, in his proclamation, said: the day is meant to celebrate Drouin for his high degree of ethics, integrity, and fairness - as well as being a businessman who never gave up.
Ray is survived by his long-term partner, Jacqueline "Jackie" DiBella – his former wife, Margaret Marion Drouin and mother of their adored children, Sharon (Alex) Cavuto – Lisa (George) Heath – Ronald (Roxanne) Drouin – Mary (Donald) Brandt – Glen Drouin – several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ray will be missed by numerous musical theatre and oyster club friends – former Hi-Qual employees, clients, suppliers, and competitors. A special thank you to Ray's primary care physician, Dr. Laura Gift, URMC Lead Hospice Nurse, Heather Menchel, and URMC's entire Home Care Health aids for their kind and committed care to Ray.
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at historic Downtown Presbyterian Church – 121 Fitzhugh Street at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 6, 2024, and a reception immediately following in the Hallock Room at Downtown Presbyterian Church. Please consider a donation to URMC Home Care Hospice Dept. – 2180 Empire Boulevard – Webster, New York – where this URMC Hospice Team was devoted to Ray and cared for him at home from July 23, 2023 to May 19, 2024.