1934 – 2015

SOUTH PARIS — Charles W. “Bananas” Raymond, 81, of Rangeley, died Monday afternoon, Feb. 2, at the Maine Veterans’ Home, with his family by his side. He had been a resident of the Veterans’ Home for only five short days, as his family had lovingly cared for him in his home for many years.

He was born in Rangeley on Jan. 23, 1934, a son of Winnie “Hank” and Minnie Mae (Dolbier) Raymond. He graduated as a scholar from Rangeley High School on June 11, 1953, having been known to have done the valedictorian’s math homework and was the best checker player to have come through the school.

He worked for the town of Rangeley under the road commissioner and then enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Iceland as a drill Instructor. On Dec. 4, 1955, he married Carolyn Knight.

He attended Hanson’s Barber School in Lewiston and was self-employed as a barber in Stratton and Rangeley for a time. He later took the civil service test, scoring higher than anyone else, and was hired as a substitute clerk at the Rangeley Post Office on June 4, 1960.

After 10 years as a part-time clerk, he was appointed postmaster of Oquossoc on March 15, 1986, until his retirement in December 1989. On June 13, 1988, he was presented his 30-year service pin from the U.S. Postal Service.

Charlie was active in community activities, including the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He served as clerk of the Church of the Good Shepherd for over seven years; served on the Sewer Commission, where he served as chairman; and was a volunteer fireman.

He enjoyed being the family historian, studying genealogy specific to the descendants of the Dolbier family, in which he served as president of the annual Dolbier reunions for numerous years. He read and studied the Bible extensively and was fascinated by the Book of Revelation.

He is survived by his children, Cliff “Turtle” Raymond and his wife, Patricia, of Gorham, Christian “Smokey” Raymond and his wife, Sheila, of Rangeley, Cathy White and her husband, Norman, of Rangeley and Carl “Joe” Raymond of Rangeley; a daughter-in-law, Joanne, of Langtown; a sister, Beverly Mansfield, of Rangeley; grandchildren, James, David, Angela, Jennifer, Cindle and John Raymond and Brian and Vanessa White; stepgrandchildren, Deanna Caron, Nicholas Dunham and Adam Quimby; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Carolyn “Lynnie”; two sons, Wesley and Craig “Donut”; two sisters, Betty Durrell and Winnie Fraser; a stepgrandson, Jason Quimby; and a special sister-in-law, Carole Haley.

Condolences, tributes and a memorial video may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.