Published in Union Leader from Feb. 17 to Feb. 18, 2012.
Raymond J. "Moose" Despres, 71, of Marlow died on Feb. 15, 2012, at Langdon Place of Keene. He passed peacefully with the love and compassion of his family at his side.
Raymond was born the son of Yvette (Jean) and Raymond E. Despres on July 2, 1940 in Lowell, Mass. As a child the family moved to Nashua where he attended local schools. Moose graduated from Nashua High School class of 1959
On May 6, 1961 he exchanged his vows with Carol D. "Penny" D. St. Jacques at the Holy Infant Church in Nashua with family and friends in attendance. They had been happily married for 50 years.
Moose accepted a position with Public Service of New Hampshire in 1962. As time passed he moved into supervisory and management positions. Eventually he advanced to be the supervisor of electrical maintenance. He was responsible for the operation and maintenance of substations and electrical lines. Moose retired from PSNH in 2000.
Mr. Despres was a man of faith and member of St. Bernard Church in Keene. He was the past Parish Council president of the Holy Infant Jesus Church in Nashua. He enjoyed time with nature by becoming a beekeeper. Vegetable gardening and maple sugaring were an important part of his love of nature. He liked to hunt and go deep-sea fishing and, when permitted, go clamming. He also cultivated a tree farm and was a hunter safety instructor. Moose was a member of the Industrial Management Club and the National Association for the Differently Abled. Moose took great pride in being a member and past Noble Grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge 69 in Marlow.
Mr. Despres is survived by his wife Carol D. "Penny" D. Despres of Marlow; his children and their spouses, Valerie Kateri Despres of Warren, Maine, Bruce R. Despres of Marlow, Anita C. Kingsley and her husband Tim of Nashua and Shane A. Despres and his significant other Rhonda M. George of Weare. He also leaves his siblings, Daniel Despres of Houston, Texas, John Despres of Londonderry, Edward Despres of Peterborough, Dennis Despres of Larkspur, Colo., Michael Despres of Rindge. Nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends will miss his presence. Moose was pre-deceased by his parents, Yvette and Raymond Despres and siblings, Ronald Despres and Thomas Despres.