Raymond J. Parenteau

NORTHFIELD - Raymond J. Parenteau, 91, formerly of Main Street, died Monday morning (8-19-13) at the Soldiers Home in Holyoke.
He was born in Montague on Dec. 30, 1921, the son of Victor J. and Augustine R. (Binot) Parenteau. He was a graduate of Turners Falls High School, Class of 1940.
He was then employed by Greenfield Tap & Die until 1942, when he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp. In November 1942, he qualified as an Air Traffic Controller at the U.S. Air Cadet training Air Field at Maxwell Field, Alabama. He then graduated from Radio School in Traux Field, Madison, Wis., and then from Radar School in Boca Raton, FL. He then joined the 118th Fighter Squadron in Aiken, SC, as a Radar, Radio Mechanic. In 1943, he left Newport News, VA, in 1943 and served during WW II in India, Burma and China with Gen. Claire Cheneault's "Flying Tigers" until his discharge in 1946. He received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, WW II Victory Medal and the China Victory Medal.
He married the former Carolyn Zak on May 11, 1946, who predeceased him in 2001.
He went to work for the Boston & Maine Railroad in 1946 and served as Agent, Operator, Telegrapher and finally Train Dispatcher, where he served as Assit. Chief and Chief Dispatcher, retiring in 1981.
He settled in Northfield in 1951, where he and his wife owned and operated Fairview Gardens Greenhouses until 1990. In 1959, he graduated from the Dale Carnegie Public Speaking School.
He served as a Boy Scout Councilor, was a member and past secretary and president of the Northfield Kiwanis Club, served on the Northfield Conservation Commission for 17 years, was chairman of the Garage Building Committee for the New highway Garage in West Northfield, was a member and treasurer of the Council on Aging in Northfield, member of the Northfield Historical Society and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. He was a member of the Northfield VFW and American Legion.
He is survived by his sister: Christine Saulnier and her husband Albert of E. Longmeadow, MA, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Thursday morning (8-22-13) from the Kidder Funeral Home, 1 Parker Ave., Northfield, MA, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial in St. Patrick's Church at 10 a.m. The Rev. Thomas Lisowski will officiate. Burial with full military honors will followed at St. Mary's Cemetery, Northfield, MA.
There will be a calling hour from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home on Thursday.
Donations in his memory may be made to either: Greenfield Community College, 1 College Dr., Greenfield, MA 01301 or St. Patrick's Church, 80 Main St., Northfield, MA 01360.
To send condolences or for directions, please visit: www.kidderfuneralhome.com.