PITTSTON -- Jeffrey B. Raymond, 65, of Whitefield Road, died on May 30, 2012, at his home with his wife.
He was born Sept. 8, 1946, in Minnesota, the son of Duke and Mercedes Raymond.
After serving in Vietnam in the Air Force, he was determined to help other veterans. He was a key contributor to the play "Sketches of War" in Boston in an effort to help homeless veterans. Until his illness took away his ability, he was an active moderator on a military forum for veterans. Jeff was a co-owner of a public relations firm in the Boston area and later fulfilled a dream and became a clinical psychologist. He excelled at making fine Shaker-style furniture. His love of the natural Maine woods extended to his fine hand-carved wood workings.
He was an avid musician, a black and white photographer and he authored two books. Jeff could always be found with his faithful camera at family gatherings. He loved children and his own family and did all he could to care for them. Jeff was always ready to do anything with family; that's what he lived for.
Jeff was a faithful member of the St. Alexander Nevsky Russian Orthodox Church and served as a volunteer firefighter for the town of Bristol.
His long battle with a rare frontal-temporal lobe dementia made his last few years of life difficult to continue all the things he loved.
Jeff was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Helen Raymond, and her daughters, Sarah Kistulinec, and her son, Ethan Carlson, and Jessica Mercier and her children, Katie Michaud and David John Mercier. He is also survived by sons Samuel and Peter Raymond; daughter Sara O'Conner, and her children, Teagan and Zachary; and a brother, William Raymond.
A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 2 at St. Alexander Nevsky Russian Orthodox Church, Richmond. Burial will follow in Richmond Cemetery.
A gathering of friends are welcome at the church parish house immediately following the burial.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Alexander Nevsky sisterhood, 15 Church St., Richmond, ME 04357; or Frontal Temporal Lobe Research, c/o AFTD, Radnor Station Building 2, Suite 320, 290 King of Prussia Road Radnor, PA 19087.
Arrangements are under the care of Kincer Funeral Home, 130 Pleasant St., Richmond, ME 04357.
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Cindy Lyn Viken (Brinkworth)
What a shame that someone with so much to offer the world and, most of all, his family, that he should
get so sick, so young.
Jeff contributed so much while he was able to do so, he sounds like he was a real inspiration to his
family and those that knew him.
Rest in peace.
Bruce Lee
I was distressed to hear about Jeff. I remember he would stop by my house in the family's VW bus/van and we would go cruising around Edina after classes. I was amazed to learn all that he accomplished in his too short life. I would have spent hours with him in his wood workshop looking at his Shaker furniture. Why is it we always learn of our classmates' accomplishment when it is too late?
Jeffrey S. Leaman
Well, I too am so sorry to hear about Jeff's pasing. I recall one night in Vietnam around 1968 while listening to AFVN radio, when a request came in for a tune from Sgt Jeff Raymond, U.S. Air Force. I just about fell over! I immediately called Saigon and requested song too. Iknow that he heard the rquest from a fellow Edina Alum. Jeff and I had this radio show for awhile in high scool where you could have the front office tune your room in over the intercom. I remember Jeff and I recording theme songs for our"shows" in "Tex" Hewlett's house. What a gas!
Rest in Peace Jeff.
From another Jeff
Edwin R. Hodges
Jeff and I often made our way into downtown Minneapolis to visit Chester Groth Music store. We would spend half the day playing every instrument in the place and driving the sales people nuts. I was looking forward to talking to him again.