William J. Raymond

Newton – Mr. William J. Raymond, of Newtonville, died Sunday, April 1, 2018 at Saint Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton. He was 70.

Bill was born in Boston on May 14, 1947, a son of the late Francis and Genevieve (Legoski) Raymond and was raised in Hyde Park. A gifted student throughout his life he graduated first in his class at Boston Technical High School, at Northeastern University in Boston and at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena earning his bachelor's degree at the former and master's degree at the latter, both in mechanical engineering. Bill later achieved an MBA degree from Boston College.

His professional engineering career began at Arthur D. Little Company and then at Textron and AVCO where he worked mainly on projects for the aerospace industry. After that Bill changed careers and worked for a number of years as an actuary for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. After retiring he took a part time job at the Home Depot in West Roxbury where he worked until a year ago.

On March 3, 1979 Bill married his sweetheart, Hyde Park native Joanne M. O'Brien, at Saint John Chrysostom Church in West Roxbury and the couple made Newton their lifelong home.

Bill enjoyed golfing and was proud of having made a hole-in-one at Norwood County Club. Fishing was also a pastime and a couple of favorite spots were along the banks of the Charles River and along the Cape Cod Canal. Trips to Hawaii and to Lake Winnipesaukee were also favorite vacation destinations.

In addition to his wife of thirty-nine years, Joanne, he leaves his children, Beth J. Raymond of Washington, DC and Christine J. Raymond of New York, NY; his brother and sisters, Robert Raymond (Madelyn) of Niantic, Connecticut, Linda Raymond of Hyde Park, Paula McCarthy (Finbarr) of Dedham and Laura Morgan (Bobby) of Norfolk and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Bill's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday, April 5th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 573 Washington Street, Newton where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to GWARC, 56 Chestnut St., Waltham MA 02453 or to Beth Israel Deaconess Orthopaedics Oncology, 330 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215.