My dad passed away this afternoon after a short but painful fight with liver cancer. Thankfully not a long extended fight.
Mass Maritime Academy graduate
USN (retired) served on the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga CV-14
Served in the US Naval Reserves and Merchant Marine
Sales Engineer and sole proprietor of Linekin Industries for most of his career.
Past president of Maine Chapter ISA – Instrument Society of America. The ISA was a large and influential technical trade group in the 1970s and 80s when pulp and paper mills and wastewater treatment plants were all adjusting to the regulations of the Clean Water Act, AND the technology changes from analog / pneumatic controls and signaling transitioned to digital / microprocessor-based controls and telemetry.
I remember one large annual ISA meeting that Dad presided over with over 250 members present. During this meeting he knew every members’ name as they would raise their hand to ask a question or weigh in on an issue. Very Impressive to everyone.
He has five children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
FCC Ham Radio operator N1MHC
Certified Tennis Pro, United States Professional Tennis Association
Loving husband to the late Agnes B. Sirois and surviving wife Shirley Sirois of East Boothbay Maine.
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My grandfather Albert R Sirois is in the broader pic next to Uncle Ron, far right side in back. Albert Rene my “Grampy” died a short time (weeks or months?) after this pic was taken.
I was old enough to remember MANY outings and events with my “Grampy”. He and Dick Charette (Shelly’s dad) were also very close.
L-R: Shelly [aka Shellerina] is on her mother Nora’s lap. Andre Charette is on his father Dick’s lap. My sister Suzanne Sirois is on her/my mother Agnes’s lap.
The fellow in center bottom is Capt. David Albert Dragonas. My father was his godfather and Andre’s as well. (We lost Andre of Rockland Maine to a heart attack a few months ago.) Nora is still with us and is frequently driving around her home on the north shore of MA!
David is one of the last remaining persons alive that calls my dad by his childhood nickname: “Buster!” (David and I reconnected on Linked In this morning.)
Family was clearly important to my father early on, having hosted events like this one and others for many years that followed.
Thinking of you and the family Ray. Prayers and love to all of you.
This morning I wound my 1890’s ship’s clock with its beautiful brass bell mounted below….four bells….10:00 am…. How many times I have explained that the bells are the measure of the watch. A few minutes later, I saw that our son who now owns ore cottage on Glen Cove forwarded to me your fitting tribute to your grandfather…. I walked with him in late August down the road to the dock… I had my 5 year old granddaughter and Al had his great grandson… fishing poles in their hands…. Two prouder people there never were…. Passing on a tradition to another generation. I only sailed with Al once on Barnacle and wish I had more chances….. the day I launched my Cape Dory Typhoon and put it on the mooring in Little River I met Al for the first time and his first words were “I like the name of your boat”. Dash. Al was one of a kind and I shall miss him as you will.
This is a wonderful tribute, I only came across this today. My love and condolences to all of you…missing the wonderful times of the past. Marianne