Raymond G. Constantine

Raymond G. Constantine, 81, of Jaffrey, died peacefully on Wednesday November 2, 2011 at the Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough after a period of failing health. Ray was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 17, 1929, son of the late John and Lillian (Laine) Constantine. He had served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1948 to 1953 in a Military Police and Honor Guard unit and had been stationed in Arizona and in Las Vegas where he met and eventually married his wife. Ray was a member of the John Humiston Post #11 American Legion in Jaffrey. After his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Ray made Gardner, Massachusetts his home for over 30 years before moving to Rindge, New Hampshire and finally to Jaffrey where they have lived for the last 12 years. Ray had been a district manager for several large trucking firms and usually supervised all activity in the New England Region. He retired in 2001 from the Shelba D. Johnson Trucking Co. in Thomasville, NC. He was an avid New England Patriots fan and had attended numerous Super Bowls. Ray was preceded in death by his son Michael on March 24, 1993, and by his brother Richard. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marie Constantine of Jaffrey; his daughter Janis Pritchard of Jaffrey, his son Charlie and his wife Karen Constantine of Michigan, his brother Robert and his wife Shirley Constantine of Fitchburg, Ma, 8 Grandchildren, 12 Great-Grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

Burial with full military honors will take place later at the Massachusetts State Veteran’s Cemetery in Winchendon, MA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ray’s name to the Good Neighbor Fund, PO Box 486, Jaffrey, NH 03452.

Family and friends are warmly invited to celebrate Ray’s life Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 12:00 Noon to 2:00PM at the Cournoyer Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 33 River Street, (Route 202) Jaffrey.

A Memorial Service will be held in the funeral home chapel immediately following the visitation at 2:00PM on Saturday. Rev. Robert Kyte, Pastor of the First Church of Jaffrey will officiate.