En Souvenir De
Raymond (Ray) Arsenault
mai 11, 2018

A full life cut short. A man with a heart of gold, dedicated trade unionist, staunch advocate for workers and the disadvantaged, enthusiastic golfer and lover of fine wines, Raymond (Ray) left us in his 72nd year. Son of the late Aurèle and Gertrude (Comeau), Raymond will be sadly missed by all his family and friends, especially his wife Linda Larocque and her daughters, Maryse and Andréanne, his sons Gilles and Serge, and his grandchildren Zachary and Olivia. He also leaves behind his brothers and sisters Pierre (Gloria Cormier), Normand, Louise, Suzanne (Jim Hopper), Simonne (Gérald Chouinard), André (Verna Duguay) and Denise (Jim Garrity). He was predeceased by two brothers, Gérald (Anne-Marie LeBlanc) and Éric (feu Lucille Melançon).

Wherever he went and whatever he did, Raymond made an indelible mark. After completing his studies at the Collège Saint-Joseph of Memramcook and the Université de Moncton, he worked for a few years as an adult educator before joining the trade union movement when the Canadian Union of Public Employees was in its infancy. He began as a union rep, then became regional director for British Columbia, and went on to become national director for Union Development. From 1970 to 2000, Raymond was a prominent figure in all the major battles in the struggle for social justice, particularly in Ontario and British Columbia. Subsequently, as a consultant, he developed courses to better equip fish harvesters to defend their interests, and travelled the country helping to train trainers who would offer these courses. He also continued negotiating and counseling for the settlement of labour disputes. At the same time, Raymond was helping his partner, Linda, set up her translation business, LSLL. Without him, the business would never have got off the ground.

Raymond always put the many talents he was given to the best possible use. The world is a better place because of him. Well done Ray!

Family and friends are invited to say their last farewells to Raymond at Passage Funeral Co-operative in Shediac Bridge, New-Brunswick, Saturday, 19 May 2018, from 11:00 to 18:00. A ceremony and a lunch will follow.

You are invited to sign an online book of condolences at: www.funerairepassagefuneral.ca.