Raymond A. "Deacon Ray" Parenteau

1934 - 2016

GLASTONBURY, Conn. - Raymond A. "Deacon Ray" Parenteau, 82, of Glastonbury, loving husband for over 53 years of Jerrilyn "Lynn" (Hathaway) Parenteau, peacefully entered into eternal life in the arms of his caring wife on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.

Born in Woonsocket on July 16, 1934, a son of the late Phillippe and Virginie (Lambert) Parenteau, he had resided in Manchester and Marlborough for over 30 years prior to moving to Glastonbury 15 years ago. Ray was a graduate of Woonsocket High School, Class of 1952, and was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Ray earned his associate's degree in accounting from Manchester Community College, and later a bachelor's degree in religious studies from Holy Apostles Seminary and University in Cromwell, Conn.

Prior to his retirement, Ray was employed by Aetna Insurance Company in Hartford for over 26 years, where he was a senior audit reimbursement analyst.

A devout Catholic, Ray studied and became a deacon in the Roman Catholic Church on June 27, 1980, and faithfully served as a deacon in the Hartford Archdiocese for the past 36 years. He started at St. John Fisher Church in Marlborough, Conn., and was there for 20 years before transferring to Our Lady of Peace Church and Blessed Sacrament Church in East Hartford, where he served for the past 16 years. At the three churches, Deacon Ray was the director of confirmation and performed many baptisms. A strong believer of the Holy Spirit and Charismatic Renewal, Deacon Ray loved to preach about Jesus and the Holy Spirit. He also enjoyed counseling parishioners that asked for his assistance and started several different prayer groups at his churches.

Outside of the church, Deacon Ray enjoyed golfing, fishing, bowling, shooting pool, playing cards, chess and cribbage. He was an avid fan of the National Hockey League and Pro Golfers Association weekly tournaments, along with being a loyal supporter of the Boston Red Sox. Most of all, Ray was a true gentleman and devoted husband to his wife and best friend, Lynn, and a wonderful uncle to his nieces and nephews.

Along with his beloved wife Lynn, Ray is survived by a brother, Joseph Roger Parenteau and his wife Dorothy "Dot" of Woonsocket; a nephew, Gil Parenteau and his wife Sue of Woonsocket; and a niece, Gayle Bagley and her husband William "Bill" and their two sons, Aidan and Devin, all of Cumberland. He also leaves two sisters-in-law, Donna Braun and her husband Alton "Bud" of Stafford Springs, Conn., Myrna Nagy and her husband Ronald of Stafford Springs; two brothers-in-law, Dennis Hathaway and his wife Laura of Northport, Fla., and Robert Salisbury of Penyan, N.Y.; special dear friends, Tracy McHugh and her fiancée, Chris Cunningham of Essex, Conn., Elaine Trent of West Hartford and Joanne Bednarz of Hartford; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and parishioners. Besides his parents, Ray was predeceased by two brothers, Phillippe Parenteau of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Rene Gaston Parenteau of Glastonbury; and a sister-in-law, Diane Salisbury of Florida.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church, May Road/Brandon Road, East Hartford. (Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Wednesday morning). Burial with military honors will follow at Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery, (Section S-Extension), Bloomfield, Conn. Relatives and friends may call at the D'ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter St., East Hartford, on Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Raymond's name may be made to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492, or to a favorite charity of the donor's choice. Ray's family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Father Jim Nock, Deacon Bill Bartlett, and Deacon Leo LaRocque for their comforting prayers, love, compassion, and genuine care given to all of them and Ray. For online expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.