Monroe, NH - It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Raymond A. Richer. Ray passed in the arms of his wife and soulmate Evelyn in their home in Monroe NH, at the age of 69 on April 3, 2024, after his battle with Metastatic Malignant Melanoma. He was showered with love from family and friends days prior to his passing, which included a joyous meeting of his new twin great grandbaby girls, Alivia and Amelia.

Ray was a Wildlife Photographer who was honored with a centerfold in the National Wildlife Magazine, and a cover shot for Vermont Institute of Natural Science featuring his study of loons. He created a documentary video which is a culmination of photos and videos stretching over 18 years of study of one pair of loons at the nesting site. It was his honor to share that documentary all over New England for educational groups. He served on the Water Quality Board and Better Backroads Programs in Vermont while living on Joes Pond (where he was known as the 'Loon Ranger') in Cabot, VT. Nature and wildlife was his passion, but a close second was his love for singing and playing the guitar (which he learned rather late in his life). He had a close brotherhood with other players and together they celebrated acoustic sounds from the 70's. Ray also praised the Lord with a Praise Band in several different churches.

In his younger years, Ray was an avid cyclist and hiker. He would cycle to help raise money for charities pedaling as much as a hundred miles at a time. He also has hiked the highest peaks in the White Mountains numerous times, most probably where his love of nature began.

Ray loved his family, a very large and fun-loving group who supported him throughout his battle with cancer, and laughed with him throughout his life. Born on March 1, 1955, in Manchester, NH and he was the son of Hector D. Richer, and Marie-Jeanne (Dionne) Richer, and was one of 6 siblings. His sisters are Lucille (Armand) Forest; Claire (Ronald) St. Cyr; Anita (Alfred) Valley; Doris (Roger) Tousignant and one brother Marc A. Richer, all of Manchester, NH. Among his family supporters he also had many cousins, and 17 nieces and nephews. In addition, he had the love and support of his wife Evelyn (Demick) Richer and her two children, Preston Max Blair; [Preston's daughters Alyssa and Corryne, and fiancé Courtney Audette, and Preston's twin granddaughters, Alivia and Amelia]; and Tressa Marie Webb with her husband Brian and their children, [Hunter, Dillan and Brian Jr.] will all greatly miss this loving man who always brought a smile and a sense of love and humor to any situation, along with a helping hand when needed. Ray loved his 'girl' Jodi, his rescued 3 year old black lab mix who now misses her Frisbee-throwing-long-walking-'zooming prompter'-Dad.

Ray graduated from St. Jean Baptiste Grammar School and St. Marie High School-Class of 1973 in Manchester, NH. Was employed at Gulton Industries, was creator and manager of the Remanufacturing Division at Raytheon in Manchester, and Master Craftsman and Millworker at Lumbertown in Raymond NH, where he met his wife of nearly 30 years, Evelyn. He was a talented self-employed contractor specializing in custom remodeling. Both Evelyn and Ray were a team of artists that encouraged each other to go beyond their best to celebrate the Gift that God gave them...
In his retirement he had hopes of continuing to make acoustic guitars from exotic woods, sing and play with his best buddies and do his wildlife photography. May he Rest in Eternal Peace, and sing with the Angels, until we all meet again.

His memorial service will be at Ricker's Funeral Home in Woodsville, NH on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 1 pm with a small gathering afterwards of his family and close friends at his home in Monroe. An informal Celebration of his Life is being planned for a future date in June, at his home, featuring LOTS OF MUSIC!