Raymond P. Thivierge Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

COLEBROOK — Raymond P. Thivierge, 83, of Colebrook, passed away on his own terms on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at the Concord Hospital in Concord, NH, after a long and valiant battle with lung cancer. He spent his last days surrounded by his loving family, sharing memories and saying goodbye. Ray was born on a farm in St-Isidore, Que., on April 6, 1933, the eldest child of the late Ludger and Eva (Rouleau) Thivierge. His childhood was filled with hard work and boyish shenanigans with his large lot of extended family and friends, much of which became fodder for tales he told throughout his life. As a young adult in the mid-1950s, Ray emigrated to Tupper Lake, NY, where he met and married the love of his life, Jane Robideau. Their love story was epic and lasted 56 years before her death in 2012. In their early days, the couple travelled to various locations taking their love on the road and following highway and bridge construction projects to earn a living. Ray made many friends along the way and learned to love his new country, a patriotism that lasted to his final days. After 6 years, Ray and Jane began their family and moved to Colebrook where he would spend the rest of his life. Ray was a lumberman by heritage, learning the trade at a young age from his father and uncles. He worked in the woods for much of his career, owning his own skidders and other logging equipment and working for several logging operations throughout northern New England. Ray was also skilled in construction and was proud of his contribution to several public works projects including hydro-electric dams, bridges, and highways across the country. Later in life, Ray applied his skills as a carpenter, craftsman and all around “Mr.-fix-it”. He was particularly proud of one finish-carpentry project he did that was featured in Log Home Magazine. As a young man, Ray was well known in the North Country as a bouncer for several local establishments of the day including the Riviera in Beecher Falls, Vt., where he forged a legendary reputation for his ability to “keep the peace”, earning the respect and friendship of many a patron. He used to joke that some of his best friends came from a bar fight. When not working, Ray and Jane loved to socialize and take a spin or two across the dance floor, proudly displaying their jitterbug moves. In addition to woodworking and puttering around at mechanics, Ray loved to play cards, garden and spend time outdoors, hunting, fishing and going to the beach. He was a talented amateur musician, playing the accordion and harmonica by ear, sometimes grabbing his “mouth organ” for a jam session with friends. He was a great lover of animals and was especially close to his Boston Terrier who he called Booboo. Ray let it be known that his role as a father was his most important and rewarding. He described himself as the “luckiest man in the world” whenever surrounded by his family. He is survived by his children, Raymond L. Thivierge and his fiancé, Matthew Nuss of West Hollywood, CA; and three daughters, Tammy Jayne Thivierge of Colebrook, who provided loving care to Ray during the final years of his life, Sherry Hardy and her Husband Troy, of Canterbury, NH and Rachele Thivierge of Natick, MA. He was particularly proud of his grandson, Christopher Thivierge, who he helped raise, and his wife Crystal of Colebrook and his other grandchildren Jocelyn Thivierge and her fiancé Andrew Soucy, Jacob Thivierge, Jeffrey Thivierge and step-grandson, Brenden Hardy. Ray had a very special love for his great-grandchildren, Colton, Caleb, Dakota and Ryder. Ray also leaves a foster son, Jeremy Rolfe and his son Tristan, several nieces and nephews, many loving cousins, and many special family friends including Peter Middlemass and Kristie Champagne. In addition to his beloved wife and parents, Ray is preceded in death by his siblings, Claude Thivierge and Huggette Mathieu. A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on April 1, 2017, at St. Brendan's Catholic Church in Colebrook, followed by a celebration of his life at the Colebrook Country Club beginning at 12:30. A graveside committal service will be held in the spring, 2017. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Thivierge may be made to the Two Rivers Ride for Cancer, c/o R. Mulliken, 53 Spring St., Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Raymond P. Thivierge

April 6, 1933 - March 14, 2017