Ray Vernon Rickards

NORTH ANSON – Ray Vernon Rickards, 79, of North Anson, passed away peacefully on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. He was born on Dec. 17, 1942 in Skowhegan to Vernon and Beryl (Lewis) Rickards.

Ray (husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend) was brought up in North Anson and attended the public schools in town. After graduating from high school, Anson Academy, he attended Paul Smith’s College in New York.

He then worked for a construction company for a short time. From there, he went to become a scaler at Scott Paper. After that, he went to North Anson Reel Company to be the head wood buyer and manager of the lumber division. And finally, he worked at Madison Paper Company as the wood procurement manager until the day he retired in 2004. He greatly enjoyed his job and working with all the people he dealt with. He was very proud of his crew and the awards they received from the APA and other forestry organizations. He was well-respected in the wood procurement industry.

Ray was an avid member of the Masons and the Odd-Fellows for many years. He achieved every level in both organizations. He was very proud to be a part of both of these prestigious fraternities. He also was a member of the Shriners. For many years, he served in the volunteer fire department in his town. It was another way that he supported both his family and his neighbors.

Along with his close friends, he built his camp on his woodlot where they enjoyed many wonderful times. It was definitely a place of peace and satisfaction for him. Camping, in various campers over the years, was another fun recreation spent with family and friends. Many memories were made from the various trips he took with us all. He also had many adventurous journeys with his friends to go hunting and/or fishing. These memories will last forever.

One thing Ray looked forward to was his annual trip to Earl’s camp with his son-in-law, Martin. He loved the meals served and the camaraderie between friends.

In recent years, Ray loved participating in the maple syrup season. He enjoyed being part of the sapping season overall. After his retirement, for three years in a row, he and Carlene drove to and from California. He would stop at numerous places to enjoy what each state had to offer, especially the different battlefields which he loved to explore and learn about.

Ray will be cherished and remembered by his loving wife of 58 years, Carlene (McLaughlin) Rickards; his daughter, Raylene (Rickards) Bates and her husband Martin; his grandchildren Cassandra Marker and her husband Ryan and their children Hailey and Caleb; Christopher Bates and his fiancé Allyson; Zachary Daoust and his girlfriend Shannon and his daughter Avah; Cassandra Daoust and her boyfriend Jake and their son, Asher; his sister, Elaine Miller Jucius and her husband Charlie; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Ray was predeceased by both of his parents, Vernon and Beryl Rickards; his grandparents Ray W. and Elaine Rickards; his daughter, Heidi Rickards; and his brother, Robert Rickards.

A private “Celebration of Life” for family and close friends will be held at a later date. Memories, personal thoughts and stories will hopefully be shared by many.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan and Scott’s Cremation and Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Rd., Skowhegan ME 04976.

“Our hearts still ache

in sadness,

And secret tears still flow,

What it meant to lose you,

No one will ever know.”

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Ray’s memory to the

Somerset Humane Society,

123 Middle Rd.,

Skowhegan ME 04976