Maurice E. Ravenelle, a lifelong resident of Nashua for 94 years, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, August 10th with his family by his side.
Maurice was born on May 27th, 1931, to Luc and Blanche (Boisvert) Ravenelle. Maurice attended local schools and graduated from Nashua High School in 1951. He served four years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, and received an honorable discharge in 1955. He is a 55-year member of the American Legion, James E. Coffey Post #3.
Soon after his discharge, he married Margaret A. LeBlanc of Haverhill, MA, and together they had three children. Maurice and Margaret were in their 70th year of marriage.
In 1956, Maurice became a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, and he proudly served 32 years, first in the Crown Hill section of Nashua and later on the Daniel Webster Highway. Maurice was one of the original carriers to implement the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) union in Nashua, and he was a Gold-Card member of the NALC, as well as past President of local branch 230. Early on, Maurice also worked nights and weekends as a waiter at the Lafayette Club for eight years. After retiring from the Postal Service, Maurice worked at Allen Mello Dodge.
Maurice served on the Nashua Board of Registrars in the mid-1970s during the terms of Mayor Dennis J. Sullivan. He also served with the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 257, Infant Jesus Church, where he was the Advancement Committee Chairman for many years. Maurice received the Bronze Pelican Award for his service with the Boy Scouts. He was also a lifetime member of the 100 Club of NH.
Maurice was an active member of the Saint John XXIII at Infant Jesus Parish, where he served on the Parish Council, Bereavement Team, and the Finance, Land/Buildings, and Decoration committees. Post retirement, he volunteered at Corpus Christi Food Pantry, delivering food to families in need.
Maurice’s favorite times included sitting on his front porch in Nashua, watching the world pass by, and spending the past thirty-eight summers with his family at Ossipee Lake.
Survivors include his beloved wife Margaret Ravenelle, three children and their spouses, Michelle Barton (Pierre), Raymond Ravenelle (Jane), and Thomas Ravenelle (Theresa Sousoures); four grandchildren and their spouses, Alana Routhier (Nick), Renee Nicastro (Anthony), Ashley Ravenelle, and Michael Ravenelle (Kaity); six great-grandchildren Serafina and Salvatore Nicastro, Colten Chase, Francis Routhier, and Noah and Penelope Ravenelle; a sister, Lorraine Jarest; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Maurice is predeceased by two sisters and two brothers, and spouses, Irene Brault (Hector “Tiny”), Theresa Cote (Edgar), Paul Ravenelle, and Richard Ravenelle (Shirley), as well as two brothers-in-law, Donald Jarest, and Norman LeBlanc (Margaret).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Maurice’s name to Corpus Christi Food Pantry, 3 Crown Street, Nashua, NH 03060.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday, August 18th from 4:00-7:00 PM at FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by Fr. Ryan Amazeen on Tuesday, August 19th at 10:30 AM at Saint John XXIII at Infant Jesus Parish, 121 Allds Street, Nashua, followed by burial at St. Louis de Gonzague Cemetery, 752 West Hollis Street, Nashua. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com
