WEST TOPSHAM, VT — Raoul “Ray” W. Christian, 90 of Zion Hill Road died January 29, 2019.
He was born in Dracut, MA on May 31, 1928, the son of Hector R. and Eva Lillian (Neault) Christian. After growing up in Lowell, MA, he moved to Manchester, NH and served four years in the US Naval Reserve aboard destroyers in the Atlantic including the USS Gainard in 1947. Throughout his life, Ray worked a variety of jobs in Manchester, NH, Lowell, MA and Concord, NH, eventually moving to Monroe, NH in 1975 and working at The Willows in Franconia, NH. In 1982 he went to work for the Atkinson Residence in Newbury, VT, retiring from there in 1991. Ray was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He was a helpful soul who enjoyed spending time woodworking in his workshop. He enjoyed watching the wildlife outside his window, and loved all the creatures of the natural world.
Ray is survived by his loving wife and caregiver, Rebecca (Knapp) Christian of West Topsham, VT, his daughter, Jenny Ricker (Tim) of Whitefield, NH, his son, Eric (Summer) of Eliot, ME, his stepdaughters, Julie Tumminia-Tomsuden (Mark) of Winnsboro, SC, Nan Smith (Chris) of Marietta, GA, and Katrina Holmes of Lexington, KY, grandchildren, Donald Christian, Hamilton, Robbie and Lily Christian, Marco Tumminia, and Dominic and Alexis Holmes, a half-brother, Harold “Sonny” Jervah of Derry, NH, nephew, Kenneth Christian of Weare, NH, and many other nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved son, Raoul W. Christian, Jr., and two brothers, Joseph Christian and Albert Neault.
Services will be held in the spring at New Hope Church in Waits River, VT. Arrangements are under the direction of Hale Funeral Home, 187 Upper Plain, Bradford, VT. Online guestbook at www.halefuneralhomes.com