Raymond William Gareau
December 03, 1926 - August 17, 2016
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Raymond William Gareau
December 03, 1926 - August 17, 2016
Obituary
Raymond William Gareau passed away on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. He was born in Montreal, Canada, in 1926 and moved to New York City as a youngster where he attended the public school system prior to graduating from Mount Saint Michael Academy.
Raymond moved to Baltimore and began a life-long career in public transportation. He was blessed with two special daughters, Patricia Bradley and Susan Giroux, both of whom he held close to his heart throughout his long adventuresome life.
His career in transportation took him from the east coast and New England states to the mountain states and California, finally settling in on the Southcoast of Massachusetts for his final 20 years as owner and President of the Union Street Bus Company. In 2005, he moved to Bellingham, WA and spent his remaining years enjoying the Pacific Northwest with his wife of 40 years, Mary Pfluger Gareau.
All who were blessed with knowing Raymond will remember his unending zest for life and new experiences—his love of traveling, especially for many years by motor home and by boat. He was a good and supportive friend to many, and will be remembered for his enthusiasm and optimism by his many friends and loved ones.
A visitation will be held on Friday, August 26th at 11am with a funeral service following at 11:30am at Moles Farewell Tributes (2465 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham). All are welcome to join afterwards for a reception.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Whatcom Hospice (2901 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham, WA 98225).
Funeral Service
- Date & Time: August 26, 2016 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: Moles Farewell Tributes- Bellingham
- Location: 2465 Lakeway Dr Bellingham, WA 98229 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (360) -73-3-0510
Visitation
- Date & Time: August 26, 2016 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: Moles Farewell Tributes- Bellingham
- Location: 2465 Lakeway Dr Bellingham, WA 98229 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (360) -73-3-0510
24 responses to Raymond William Gareau
Ronald Valcourt says:
August 17, 2016
Dear Mary, Carol and I were deeply saddened to learn of Ray’s passing. We offer you our deepest condolences. We will hold the memories of the wonderful times we shared together with you and Ray. He lives in those memories forever with us. Love, Carol and Ron Valcourt❤️
Ben and Deborah says:
August 17, 2016
Dear Mary and family,
The miles and the years have come between us but you and Ray will always have a special place in our hearts and minds. The years that Ray and Ben spent together at SERTA were fruitful and Ben has always said how much he enjoyed working with Ray with his strong work ethic, foresight and energy among many other attributes. When in Rays company you couldn’t help but be part of that infectious laughter and fun. The transportation dinners were a hoot but Ray took everything seriously too and SERTA was never and has never been run as well or as successfully as when he and Ben were at the helm there and the Union Street Bus Company. Men of integrity and knowledge committed to the job, the employees and the people of the region it served.
Oh how we envied those adventures you two took off on. Your circumnavigation in “Old Blue” of the Mississippi and other integral waterways to bring you back home to New England. Your mobile home adventures and moving out west. You always followed your dreams and lived a fulfilling lifestyle. Ben still talks about trips he and Ray would make to Washington, DC to secure funding for SERTA and the antics they had to get in to to accomplish their goals! It was Ray who eventually brought these DC folks around and in such a nice, genuine way that all were better for the experience.
Let us not forget Ray’s service to his country in the military. Though he did not speak of it often it was something that helped to create the man he became full of pride and love of his country. We admired that about him.
We are with you in spirit and love and hope that some day we will be able to see one another again or up there with Ray and all our other loved ones.
With love, Ben and Deb Baker
Ben and Deborah says:
August 17, 2016
Dear Mary and family,
The miles and the years have come between us but you and Ray will always have a special place in our hearts and minds. The years that Ray and Ben spent together at SERTA were fruitful and Ben has always said how much he enjoyed working with Ray with his strong work ethic, foresight and energy among many other attributes. When in Rays company you couldn’t help but be part of that infectious laughter and fun. The transportation dinners were a hoot but Ray took everything seriously too and SERTA was never and has never been run as well or as successfully as when he and Ben were at the helm there and the Union Street Bus Company. Men of integrity and knowledge committed to the job, the employees and the people of the region it served.
Oh how we envied those adventures you two took off on. Your circumnavigation in “Old Blue” of the Mississippi and other integral waterways to bring you back home to New England. Your mobile home adventures and moving out west. You always followed your dreams and lived a fulfilling lifestyle. Ben still talks about trips he and Ray would make to Washington, DC to secure funding for SERTA and the antics they had to get in to to accomplish their goals! It was Ray who eventually brought these DC folks around and in such a nice, genuine way that all were better for the experience.
Let us not forget Ray’s service to his country in the military. Though he did not speak of it often it was something that helped to create the man he became full of pride and love of his country. We admired that about him.
We are with you in spirit and love and hope that some day we will be able to see one another again or up there with Ray and all our other loved ones.
With love, Ben and Deb Baker
Dean and Cathy Miller says:
August 17, 2016
Mary, Patricia & Steve – I just heard the news about Raymond passing today. Please accept Dean and my heart felt condolences.
Having just recently lost both of our fathers, we know how lucky it was for all of us spend the extra time with him. For you and Mary to have had this past spring and summer was truly a gift. If there is anything you need please feel free to give us a call.
Sincerely,
Cathy and Dean Miller
Gary J. Pires says:
August 17, 2016
To Mary and his daughters….my heartfelt condolences on Ray’s passing. He was larger than life and I still tell stories about him to others in the Transit industry. A big fish in a little pond was the way I have always thought of him. At the end of his tenure at USBC, I was the VP of ATU Local 1037 in New Bedford and remember him so well. Always fair and reasonable when dealing with his employees. He has been sadly missed here these last 25 years. Gary J. Pires Pres/BA
ATU Local 1037
New Bedford