LEWISTON – Raymond “Butch” Helms Jr., 60, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 30, at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Togus, after a brave and courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Lewiston on March 4, 1944, the son of Raymond and Gracienne (Pare) Helms Sr., and attended St. Josephs School in Lewiston and also Gray-New Gloucester schools.

He joined the Marines at the age of seventeen, serving his country in Japan. He had an undying love and respect for the Marine Corps. While only at Togus for a brief time, he could be found holding hands with older veterans and saluting them with pride.

He spent the majority of his life living in California. While in California, he spent many years working for American Airlines, then in the welding profession working for Keiser Steel and ALCOA. He continued welding after his return home to Maine.

He returned to Maine in the late 80s. He loved Maine. He loved his home and land in Litchfield, near Tacoma Lakes. He spent many hours boating and fishing. He had a love of life and earth. He had a passion for gardening and flowers. He lived simple.

He married Linda Pelletier in February 2003. While their time together was short, Raymond and Linda shared a wonderful life with many memories. Linda was a huge supporter of Raymond’s, with her own courage and bravery during their two year battle with cancer.

He was a wonderful and loving father to three step-sons, Eric, Brad, and Brian Holmes. He raised these boys as his own with pride.

He is survived by his mother of Lewiston; sister, June White, of Gloucester, Mass.; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Nancy Helms, of Scranton, Pa.; sister and brother-in-law, Ralph and Rejaine Rodenbeck, of Fort Wayne, Ind.; sister and brother-in-law, Lawrence and Joyce Spenser, of Livermore Falls; several nieces, nephews, and his precious dog, Bambi; step-sons, Eric Holmes, of Auburn, and Brad Holmes, of California.

He was predeceased by his beloved father in August 1995, and step-son, Brian, in 1986, though they now walk hand in hand.

Raymond leaves friends and family, a sign of a wonderful friend is a person who has the ability to make and keep friends, Raymond is survived by friends he’s had “forever.”

“Never a person could love stronger and more whole heartedly than Raymond”

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