Raymond N. Patry

Raymond N. Patry, 93, of Gorham, NH, passed away on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at St. Vincent de Paul Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, after a period of failing health. He was born in Berlin, NH on March 11, 1930 the son of the late Amedee and Annie (Duhamel) Patry and moved to Gorham in 1958. He attended St. Regis Acadamy for 8 years, later graduating from Notre Dame High School with the Class of 1948. In his summer months as a youth during World War II he worked for Grand Trunk Railroad. During his High School years he worked as a washer at Priscilla's Restaurant and later went to work for Brown Co. Ray moved to Connecticut for a brief time to work at a steel mill and enlisted in the United States Army where he served in Korea with the 341st Engineers.

Upon his return from military service he married Caroline A. Fleury in 1954 and went to work the following year as an apprentice for Fleury Funeral Homes. He later attended the New England Institute of Sanitary Science and Embalming in Boston, MA from which he graduated in 1957 and began his career as a Funeral Director and Embalmer. He worked alongside his father-in-law, Oscar Fleury, for 26 years. Upon Oscar's retirement, Ray and Caroline purchased the business and they operated the renamed Fleury-Patry Funeral Homes, along with their son Michael, until Raymond's retirement in 1996 after 42 years in Funeral Service.

Raymond was involved with numerous community organizations. He was a Life Member of the American Legion Post #82 in Gorham, the VFW Post #2520 in Berlin and the National Rifle Association. He was a charter member and past President of the Gorham Lions Club, member of the Berlin-Gorham Lions Club, past member of the NH 100 Club, charter member of the Msgr. Connors Knights of Columbus 5930, 4th Degree member of the Msgr. Walsh Assembly and White Mountain Council #506 of Berlin and was the recipient of the New England Institute Presidential Citation in 1989. He was past member of the NH Funeral Directors Assn. and the National Funeral Directors Assn.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years Caroline (Fleury) Patry of Gorham, NH; sons Oscar R. Patry and friend Cecile Currier and James A. Patry both of Gorham, NH; daughter Christine Szostak of Penacook, NH; daughter-in-law Darlene Patry of Gorham, NH; grandsons GySgt. Brent M. Patry, USMC and wife Lita of Okinawa, Japan and Brad E. Patry of Gorham, NH; great grandchildren Michael D. Patry and Suzanne Patry; brothers Roland Patry of Berlin, NH and Gilbert Patry of New Durham, NH; sister Lucille Rivard of Berlin, NH; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Michael A. Patry in 2022 and siblings Leo Patry, Rita Chaisson and Jeannette Patry.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 11am at Holy Family Parish, Church Street, Gorham, NH with interment and military honors following at Holy Family Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call on Wednesday from 5-7pm at the Bryant & Fleury Patry Funeral Home, 1 Promenade St., Gorham. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Smile Train (smiletrain.org) or to a charity of one's choice. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.bryantfuneralhome.net.