AUBURN — Raymond J. “Ray” Melanson, 80, a resident of Jay, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 8, at Hospice House of Androscoggin in Auburn.

He was born Nov. 28, 1936, in Mexico, the son of Albert and Aldena (Casey) Melanson. Ray attended school in Rumford. On Sept. 26, 1964, he married Annette C. Royer. He proudly worked for 42 years in the shoe industry, including Farmington Shoe, Livermore Shoe and Cole Haan. He was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his wife, Annette Melanson of Jay; stepson, Yvan Roy and his wife, Nancy, of East Angus, Canada; grandchildren, Dominik, Patrick and Stephanie Roy; great-granddaughter, Mahelie Roy; godchild, Michelle Casey of Peru; brother, Maurice “Moe” Melanson and his wife, Sally, of Jay; in-laws, Gerard Royer and his wife, Florence, of Sherbrooke, Canada, Veronique Hamel of Baie-Comeau, Canada, Emilie D’Amboise of Marlborough, Conn., Etienne Royer and his wife, Lise, of Quebec, Canada, and Alain Royer and his wife, Huguette, of Sherbrooke, Canada; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Cecile Roy and her husband, Gerard, Theresa Gaudet and her husband, Ray, and Corinne Tyler; and his brother, Arthur Melanson.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.