Raymond “Ray” Duquette, 83, of Leicester, formerly of Worcester, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 12th 2008, in the Knollwood Nursing Center.

   Raymond is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Nancy M. (Oliver) Duquette; nine devoted children, Gail Butler with whom he lived, Patricia Watson and her husband Paul of Worcester, Raymond P. Duquette, of Virginia, Nancy Paradis and her husband Kevin of Leominster, James Duquette and his wife Kelly of Holden, Bonnie Milstead of Leicester, Paul Duquette of Spencer, and Gary Duquette, Michelle Landry and her companion Robert Turcotte all of Hull; a brother, Richard O. Duquette of Virginia and a sister, Bernadette LaJoie of Worcester; eighteen grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A daughter, Lisa Marie Duquette; a son-in law, Anthony Bulter and a sister, Irene Duquette all predeceased him.

   Raymond was born in Worcester, the son of the late Philerome J. and Rose A. (Prunier) Duquette. He graduated from Saint Joseph’s School, joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and served his country in World War II. Raymond owned and operated the Rainbow Motel on Route 20 in Shrewsbury before retiring. He also worked many years for Henry L. Hanson Company. Raymond was a member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter # 4 in Worcester and the Charles F. Minney Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Millbury.

   The funeral will be held Wednesday, October 15th from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester, with a mass at 10:00 a.m. in the Saint John’s Church, 40 Temple Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, in Paxton. Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family Tuesday, October 14th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the funeral home.