Raymond Wilfred Charest (1940-2018)

4 mins read
Raymond Wilfred Charest

WILTON – Raymond Wilfred Charest, 78, died on Dec. 15, 2018 at home surrounded by his family from complications of Alzheimer’s Dementia. He had been fastidiously and lovingly cared for by his family with the assistance of Androscoggin Home Health and Hospice, both at the Hospice House in Auburn, as well as in his home in Wilton.

He was born in Rumford Maine on Jan. 6, 1940, the son of Reta Mae (Wheeler) Charest and Wilfred Joseph Charest.

Raymond graduated from Wilton Academy in 1958. He worked at Forsters as a machinist, and then subsequently enlisted with the Army, stationed in Korea from 1962-1965, at which time he was honorably discharged. He then returned home and met the love of his life, Nancy Ellen Stevens, whom he married in 1966, and stayed by her side for 52 years. Nancy and Ray adopted two children, Kymberly (Charest) Jacobs and Shawn Charest.

In 1966 he worked at Otis Paper in Livermore for a few years and then moved to Androscoggin International Paper, where he worked humbly but diligently on paper machines starting on Number 3 and eventually moving up to Number 5. During the strike at International Paper he worked for Cianbro on the Lewiston-Auburn Dam, and never during this time did he abandon his fellow workers, who were also out on strike. He continued to work at International Paper until his retirement in 2001.

He was an avid outdoorsman and loved snowmobiling, fishing, skiing, hunting, 4-wheeling and camping at his beloved Chain-of-Ponds in Eustis Maine. He loved frequenting Moosehead and in the early years his camp in Wyman Township. He loved all types of fishing whether it was fly-fishing, rod fishing or ice-fishing. He was a Charter Life Member of the Elks Lodge #2430 in Farmington and served as treasurer in his early years. He also served on the Board of Directors and was very active in his son’s Scout Troop Pine Tree Council #518. When he wasn’t busy with all these other pursuits, it was not uncommon to find Ray out on his tractor mowing his lawn. Along with his wife and daughter, he was also a loyal and enthusiastic fan of the New England Patriots.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Nancy Ellen Charest, his daughter Kymberly (Charest) Jacobs, his son Shawn Charest, and his five grandchildren, Zachary Jacobs and Ivy Jacobs of Farmington Maine and Brennan Charest, Hannah Charest and Benjamin Charest all of Florence South Carolina.

In Lieu of flowers, those wishing may make a donation to Androscoggin Home Health and Hospice 15 Strawberry Avenue Lewiston Maine 04240.

Family and Friends are invited to attend memorial visitation at the Wiles Remembrance Center: Adams-McFarlane Chapel, 137 Farmington Falls Rd, Farmington on Saturday December 22 from 11-12. A Celebration of Life Service for Ray will follow at 12:00, and will include an Elks service. Following this, people are welcomed to join the family for a comfort reception at the Farmington Elks Lodge on School Street in West Farmington.

A kind word may be left on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com

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5 Comments

  1. He was a great man and loved by many💜. He will be missed. Thinking of all of you with much love.

  2. Nancy, So sorry to read about Ray. May you find peace and joy in all the memories you made over all the years you were together.

  3. Please be encouraged:

    For just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive

    1 Corinthians 15:22

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