Lewiston, Maine - Everything in life comes to an end. Today I say farewell and "au revoir" to all as a new heavenly life begins for me. Death signals a new beginning that, this time, will never end. Ray Richard, son of George and Rose (Lemieux) Richard, was born in Lewiston, ME, on January 1, 1942, and passed away on July 30, 2026.

He attended local schools graduating from St. Dom's High School in 1960. At this time, he enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in Korea and Ft. Bragg, NC. He was discharged in 1963. During this period the U.S. was drawn into a faceoff with the Soviet Union normally referred to as the Cuban Crisis in 1962.

When his military service was completed, Ray spent the next six years working in the field of finance, principally Beneficial Finance, as manager of their Old Town, ME, office. He also worked briefly at the First Manufacturers Bank of Lewiston. It was with this service to the public in finance that he recognized an attraction to church ministry and the helping professions.

For the next six years Ray pursued his studies for the Catholic priesthood at the University of Ottawa, Canada and St. Paul's University also in Ottawa. With this long period of preparation completed in 1975, he was ordained for the Catholic Diocese of Portland, ME, by Bishop Edward C. O'Leary on August 30, at Holy Family Church in Lewiston, ME.

Ray's first assignment was at St. Louis Church in Auburn, ME, where he served until 1977. At this time, he joined the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Rhode Island. For the next six years, he specialized in retreat work, devoting much of his time to the Cursillo and Marriage Encounter programs. This also involved personal spiritual guidance and family relationships. It was during this period that Ray organized and ran the Wisdom Program at St. Paul Center in Augusta, ME. It continues in our own day serving widowed, divorced and separated people.

In 1983 the Church in Maine was in need of a pastor in Dover-Foxcroft, ME, and Ray returned to the Portland, ME, diocese. Here he pastored for five years. One special feature of his work in that country church was the ecumenical spirit of clergy and people who lived in the area. It was inspiring to hear church members of these denominations express delight at the community spirit that drew so many people to support our effort at unity and loving cooperation. They remembered the time when Catholics and Protestants would engage in joint criticism and judgment instead of collaboration and mutual respect. A common expression was: "it's about time!" Because there is only one God and Father of us all who draws us into a common brotherhood!

The next pastorship was in Sabattus, ME. This church, Our Lady of the Rosary, brought many memories because Ray's grandparents and their family had been instrumental in the building of the Church in the 1920s. The four years spent in Sabattus were followed by a year's sabbatical that brought a new dimension of priestly work and ministry. Ray joined the local Safe Voices Group (then known as AWAP) by coordinating its programs for men who had been involved in family domestic violence.

At the end of this rewarding sabbatical, Ray became pastor of St. Francis Church in Belfast, ME, in 1993. It was here that he met the woman who became the "love of his life." Ray met Catherine when she joined the parish and showed an avid interest in rendering a helping hand in planning neighborhood meetings of church members and organizing social activities for the people. The friendship that grew out of their relationship led to marriage and a new beginning as members of the Congregational Church in Auburn, ME. Ray considered this loving union (marriage) as a second vocational call in addition to the priesthood. It was heartwarming to hear the response of people who recognized in their married pastor someone who brought to the parish "two for the price of one!" Ray and Catherine Jennings were married in the Congregational Church of Dover-Foxcroft, ME, on August 1, 1997.

Throughout their marriage Pastor Ray and Kay served in many capacities in addition to the pastorship of Churches in Auburn, Madison and Poland. Both were active for many years as volunteers in the Ombudsman Program in Augusta and the Meals on Wheels service in Lewiston-Auburn. Perhaps in keeping to the spirit of life as a journey that binds us all as fellow travelers in the world, Ray and Kay spent countless hours and days walking and hiking in the meadowlands of this most beautiful state of ours.

Life for Ray has been, basically, as a wandering seeker of goodness and beauty, enjoyed and appreciated, wherever found. Peace and serenity follow ... as in the hymn that proclaims, "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

Ray was predeceased by his parents, George and Rose (Lemieux); brother, Maurice; sister, Claire; and his wife, Catherine. He is survived by his sister, Joline Richard; stepchildren, Elaine, Laura, Warren, Kenneth, and Karen; his special godchildren, Marie Lemieux and Marc Theberge; many cousins; and his good friend, Don Labranche.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to SeniorsPlus Meals on Wheels.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Clover Manor (Kerry and Galway Units) and to the Andwell Hospice team (especially Margaret) involved in Ray's care. We would like to extend our deep appreciation for your kindness, support, and compassion during Ray's journey.

Ray's visitation will be held on Thursday, August 6, from 1 to 2 p.m. with a memorial service to follow immediately after at The Fortin & Pinette Group, 305 Alfred A Plourde Parkway, Lewiston. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Condolences may be shared with the family and friends here on the obituary page of the funeral home website.