Raymond Saunders Sr.

1922 – 2009

SOUTH PARIS — Raymond Saunders Sr., 86, of Albany, died Friday, June 26, at Market Square Health Care Center.

He was born in Albany on July 4, 1922, the son of Carlton and Sara Emery Saunders, and attended school in Bethel.

He faithfully served our country in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He was employed for many years at the dowel mill in Bethel. He enjoyed fishing and his garden, and was known for flying his model airplanes at the Bethel Airport.

On April 28, 1946, he married Helen Hayes.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Raymond Jr.; a daughter, Brenda Buck; a grandson, John Saunders; four granddaughters, Penny Blake, Shari Ronan, Rachel Saunders and Julie Saunders; two great-granddaughters, Alexis Kennedy and MacKenzie Blake; a great-grandson, Cameron Richardson; and a sister, Irene Onofrio.