Raymond Joseph Rathier

OBITUARY FOR RAYMOND JOSEPH RATHIER

Raymond Joseph Rathier passed  peacefully on July 15, 2023.  He was born on May 7, 1939 in Providence, RI, the son of Joseph A. Rathier and Beatrice (Robidoux) Rathier. He grew up in Burrillville, RI and moved to Fitchburg, MA in 1961.  He was a graduate of Burrillville High School, class of 1957 and he graduated from Mt Wachusett Community College in 1984 with a degree in Fire Science Technology.  He also completed many courses at Meadowood Fire Academy and other courses in the Health and Safety Field.  He was a certified  National and State EMT.

Raymond was a member of St. Edward the Confessor Church where he was active and served as an altar server for over 30 years.  He also helped to put on monthly dinners at St. Edward's for 10 years.

He joined the Westminster Fire Department in 1971 as a recruit and retired from the department in 2001 as Deputy Chief.  Raymond was one of the first on the department to become certified as an EMT.

Raymond worked at American Can Company in Fitchburg for 7 years as a machinist and then for Digital Equipment Corp as an Environmental Health and Safety Engineer, retiring from Digital after 25 years.  He then went to work for Toltec Fabrics in Dudley, MA as an Environmental Health and Safety Engineer, retiring from Toltec after 7 years.  He also worked for the Town of Westminster in the Cemetery Department retiring in June 2022 after 15 years.

He joined the National Guard in Rhode Island in 1956 and transferred to the Massachusetts National Guard in 1961.  He was a communications technician in the Yankee Division.  He was discharged with honors in 1967 with the rank of Spec. 4th  Class.

Raymond belonged to the Mid-State Antique Auto Club of Fitchburg where he was past secretary, on the board of directors and past vice-president of the club.  He was a life member of Worcester West Forest Wardens Association.  He also belonged to the Knights of Columbus, Otter River Council #2536 where he was Past Grand Knight.  He belonged to the Knights of Columbus (4th Degree) Bishop Beavan Assembly where he was Past Faithful Navigator and Honor Guard Commander.

Ray's hobbies were antique autos, computer games and reading.

He is survived by his wife Louise and his five children: Todd  and his wife Martha of Leominster, Susan and her husband James of Fitchburg, Dean and his wife Shirley of  Hohenwald TN, Peter of Westminster and Glen  and his wife Elizabeth of Spanaway, WA. He leaves eleven grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Wilfred.

RATHIER: Calling hours will be held at the Lavery Chartrand Alario Funeral Home on 99 Summer Street in Fitchburg from 6 to 8 PM on Thursday, July 20.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 10 Church St. Westminster, MA on Friday, July 21 at 10AM, followed by cremation and burial at a later date in the Columbarium at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Westminster, MA.  In lieu of flowers donations in Raymond's name may be made to the Knights of Columbus, Otter River Council #2536, c/o Mr. Ernest Turcotte, 

653 South Road, Templeton, MA 01468. 

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