Raymond Letarte

Raymond Letarte, 95, of Main St., Gorham, passed away Friday, Oct., 2, 2015 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice, with his family by his side, after a brief illness. He was born in Westbrook in 1920, son of Ovide and Yvonne Girardin Letarte, and attended local schools. He was a resident of Gorham, in his first home, for more than 67 years. In his youth World War II began and as a result he became a Navy photographer on the U.S.S. Salt Lake City and filmed many battles in the South Pacific, most notable the invasion of Iwo Jima. After the war Ray operated a service station on Main Street in Westbrook, back when you truly received full service at a gas station. In 1965 he opened a new business, Ray Letarte’s Ski Shop on Main Street, Westbrook, which was inspired by a sport he loved. He also made and sold SKI-Spree, a popular wax used to make you go faster downhill. Through the years Ray would work for two other ski shops, The Chalet and the Snow Shed, finally retiring to the Maine Turnpike Authority. He loved skiing and was one of the first Ski Patrols at Pleasant Mountain (Shawnee Peak) in Bridgton. He was later made an honorary life time member. He was active in presenting his photos and movies at his ships’ reunions around the country and was on the V.I.P. list to inspect the newly commissioned USS Iwo Jima in a visit to Portland. He enjoyed golf and after retirement became a builder of natural wood chairs. Ray owned a boat that he and Shirley enjoyed taking friends out to go lobstering. He enjoyed spending winters in Florida and spending time with his brother-in-law Robert Knight. Ray was a kind generous man, “always handy with a smile”. His first wife Helen Butterfield died in 1964. He is survived by his wife of 38 years Shirley (Knight) Letarte of Gorham; two sons, Ron of Portland and Matt of Denver, CO; a brother Ovide Jr. of Windham; one sister Roselle Darragh of Indianapolis, IN; stepdaughters Fayleen and Robert Brooks of OOB, Raeleen Michaud of Portland, Sue Michaud of Westbrook, Shelly Michaud of Scarborough, Christine Michaud of FL, Brenda and Paul Lilly of CO; and many grandkids, great grandkids, nieces, and nephews. Visiting hours will be from3:30 to 5:30 PM Tuesday at Blais & Hay Funeral Home, 35 Church St., Westbrook. A funeral service will follow at 5:30PM. Interment with military honors will be private. On line condolences may be expressed at blaisandhayfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Gosnell Hospice Home, 180 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.

Raymond Letarte

October 2, 2015

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