Raymond F. Stephens

Constableville - Raymond F. Stephens, 74, of West Road, passed away at Lewis County General Hospital, Lowville on Thursday, April 15, 2010, after a brief illness. He was born on June 4, 1935, a son of Harry and Gertrude (Ford) Stephens. Raymond graduated from Constableville High School with the Class of 1952, and thereafter he served his country in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict Era. After his honorable discharge, Mr. Stephens was employed on the family homestead farm, and then for Ed Ford New Holland Farm Equipment Sales and Service, both located on the West Road. For a short time he worked for the Town of Leyden Highway Department as a heavy equipment operator. He retired in 2002 after twenty-five years as plant operator at Barrett Paving Company, State Route 12, Boonville. On November 19, 1960, Raymond was united in marriage with Phyllis Bourgeois at St. Martinï¿(TM)s Church, Port Leyden. He was a member of St. Maryï¿(TM)s Church, Constableville and the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed flying remote-controlled model airplanes that he built from scratch. He found great satisfaction in woodworking, making gun cabinets and small furniture. He truly loved spending time with his family. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Sandy Stephens, and a daughter and son-in-law, Lynn M. and George Van Buskirk, all of Constableville; seven grandchildren, Matthew Collier of Plattsburg, Jessica, Janelle, and Jordan VanBuskirk, and Samantha, Kimberly, and Nicholas Stephens, all of Constableville; and two great-grandchildren, Aiden and Audrey. He was predeceased by a grandson, Justin L. VanBuskirk, in 1998. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 21, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Maryï¿(TM)s Church, Constableville, with Rev. Lawrence Marullo, pastor as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Patrickï¿(TM)s Cemetery, Constableville. There are no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to Constableville Fire Company. Arrangements are in care of Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler Street, Boonville. Please use the "Sign Guestbook" link below to leave an online message of sympathy, or to share a memory of Ray.