Obituary of Joseph Raymond 'Ray' Aucoin

The family of Joseph Raymond Aucoin (78 years of age) is deeply saddened to announce his sudden passing October 6, 2023. He was born February 15, 1945 in Chéticamp, NS to Marie Rose Aucoin and Joseph Edmond Aucoin. He was fondly known as “Ray” or “The Mayor of Parkdale”. Raymond moved to Halifax at an early age and became a barber at the Nova Scotian Hotel. He went on to work at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Timberlea Pharmasave/Guardian. On the weekends and evenings, many people would visit the barbershop in Ray’s basement. He was always ready for a chat and to lend a listening ear. He was a devout Catholic, sang in the choir, was a member of the Knights of Columbus and helped out at religion classes. He was happy with simplicity and never asked for much. He loved fiddle music, a good laugh, Seaside FM, word searches, his rocking chair, Friday night Karaoke, sitting on his steps waving to those he met, playing cards, chatting on the phone to get updates from Chéticamp, the Mi-carême, making a phone call to let his friends and family know whether the price of gas was going up or down, seeing friends and family and driving his car to find a “good buy” at a thrift store. Ray is survived by Loretta, and will be dearly missed by his daughters Nadine (Lee) of Timberlea and Natalie (Gary) of Sydney River. He will be missed and remembered by his grandchildren, Noah, Maddie, Ryan and Chloe; his sisters Lucille (Clifford) LeLièvre and Yvette (Alec) Carroll; brother Gerald (Lyse) Aucoin; along with many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, godchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. Ray was predeceased by his parents Marie Rose and Edmond Aucoin; sisters, Claudette, Eveline, and Bernice; brothers, Yvon, Didace and Wilfred and brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law. He had many close friends and neighbours that were like family to him. Your love and support will never be forgotten. The family would like to thank the first responders who assisted Ray that day. Visitation will be held Friday, October 20th, 2023 from 6:30 to 8 pm in Halifax at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Bayers Road. A funeral service will be held Saturday, October 21st, 2023 at 11am in Halifax at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Bayers Road. A reception will follow in the church hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that any donations be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia or St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Halifax. “What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” - Helen Keller.