LEWISTON – Raymond Paul Lemieux Sr. died early Tuesday morning at CMMC after a one-day stay, surrounded by family. Born in Lewiston on Oct. 17, 1941, a son of Pierre Zephirin and Clarisse Letourneau Lemieux, he was educated in Lewiston Schools. He was a member of the Prince of Peace Parish at Holy Cross.Our dad started his musical career at age 16 and played in several big band configurations before settling on a decade-long career as the drummer for Dick Curless. He loved to jump into song with his impressive baritone voice and hit notes that just seemed too low to vocalize. It may have been during this phase of his life that he perfected his trademark yodel (with which he later used to order his coffee at Dunkin Donuts each morning, no words spoken, just a yodel and they knew to prepare the large coffee with cream.) He also had a distinct whistle which you knew to respond to if you heard it and which you could imitate if ever looking for Ray somewhere in the house, school or around the grounds. It is a technique carried on by his son and his children (who are still practicing the art of whistling!)He went to work for ELHS in 1974 in the maintenance department and continued that work for 43 years until his “second” retirement from the school in 2016. He was given the Jim Randall Award in 1987 for “loyalty, service and commitment beyond the call of duty” from the Auburn School Department as well as a commendation from the System Drop Out Prevention Committee for his “ability and effectiveness at performing his duties and responsibilities in a way that addresses the educational, physical, emotional and social needs of students”. Remember, this was awarded to the head custodian, not a special education teacher nor a teacher’s aide. He was given the Hall of Fame Award in 2002 by the Alumni Association and was loved by all who passed through the doors of ELHS.He will be remembered for his wit, kindness and patience with all he encountered, his endless puttering and his numerous stories from his days playing music. His family has heard the story that Bobby Vinton owes our father $5 for their entire lives and that he was once mistaken for Buddy Hackett while walking through Rockland with Henry Fonda. After so many retellings of the same stories, even his grandson Christian could mouth the words of the story Ray was telling as he was telling it! Ray was an avid bicyclist during the late 1970s and early 80s and loved to swim laps at the YWCA as an almost meditative way of exercising. His mother could knit an entire throw blanket during one exercise session in the pool which speaks to his mother’s adeptness at knitting as much as it speaks to how long he would stay in the pool!Ray is survived by his daughter, Terri Lemieux of Belfast, son Raymond Paul Lemieux Jr and his wife Sarah Griffith of Belmont, Mass. and his daughter Destiney Lemieux and her companion Victor Montez of Lewiston; and his first wife Linda Spear of Belfast. Ray is survived by his only living brother, Donald Lemieux and wife Lurline Didier of Zwolle, La.; and his many nieces and nephews and all his “kids” from school.Ray was predeceased by brothers Marc, Adrienne, Lionel and Leo and by his second wife, Denise Pleau of Lewiston.Ray adored his six grandchildren, Lola and Stella Browning of West Chicago, Ill., Christian Montez of Lewiston and James, Soren and Vivienne Lemieux of Belmont, Mass. The family would like to thank the incredible ICU staff at CMMC and Nicole Nelson and her family who are our family for the dedication, support and unconditional love they have and gave to our father.Visitation will be held at Fortin Group Funeral Home 217 Turner St. Auburn from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Sunday June 13 with Mass of Christian Burial being held on Monday June 14 at Holy Cross Church at 11 a.m.Please visit http://www.thefortingroupauburn.com to leave heartfelt condolences to Raymond’s family and friends.Arrangements are under the care and direction of The Fortin Group 217 Turner St. Auburn.In lieu of flowers please make donations to the:Raymond (Razor)Lemieux Scholarship atELHS77 Harris St.Auburn ME 04240 in care of Nancy Cyr

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