Raymond E. Michaud, 95, longtime Nashua resident and well known Trumpeter, more recently of Epsom, NH, passed away suddenly on Friday morning, January 22, 2016 at Concord Hospital.
He was born in Edmundston, New Brunswick, Canada on December 27, 1920, son of the late Wilfred and Esther (Cyr) Michaud. After graduating from high school, Ray joined the Carleton York Regiment Army Band in Canada for one year and then toured Canada with the Ken Walker Orchestra, Canada’s King of Swing for the following year before moving to the United States
While in the United States, Ray joined the famous Mal Hallett Jazz Orchestra and Rudy Wallace Orchestra, comprised of members from the Mal Hallett Jazz Orchestra.
Mr. Michaud joined the United States Coast Guard Band, serving three years in both the US and European War Zone during World War II, selling war bonds and entertaining the troops. Members of his band included Sid Caesar (sax and comic), Frank Fontaine (comic), Victor Mature (actor), and Caesar Romero (actor), all of which remained close friends.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Coast Guard and having turned down Director of Music at The US Coast Guard Academy in CT, Ray played with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, who had Frank Sinatra on vocals and Buddy Rich on drums. He joined a number of jazz orchestra’s, including Sam Donahue, Ralph Materie, etc.
He filled in many times at the Cape for his friend, legendary Cornet player, Bobby Hackett and Trumpet player, Lou Columbo. Ray played in Florida in the 80s with the Jackie Gleason Orchestra in Miami Beach.
Ray held lifetime memberships in the American Federation of Musicians as well as The Disabled American Veterans. Famous Trumpet Players, such as Chet Baker, Donny Fagerquist, Joe Gordon, Herb Pomeroy, Jack Sheldon, to name a few would come to his home in Nashua for lessons.
On June 12, 1942, Ray married Barbara P. Dobens of Nashua. The couple made their home in Nashua and shared 56 years together until her death in August 1998.
In addition to his wife and parents, Ray was also predeceased by brothers, Wilfred Michaud, Clement Michaud of NH, Canada, Teddy Michaud, Olympic high jump champion of Lake Placid, NY, and Louis Michaud of Hartford, CT; sisters, Vivian Michaud, Dean of Admissions at the University of Maine in Orono, Cecile Barnum of Hartford, CT and Louise Hogan of Sterling, MA.
Members of his family include his son, Dr. Rev. Michael R. Michaud and his wife Stephanie of Nashua; four grandchildren, Michelle Wheeler and her husband James of Milford, NH, Rev. Stephen Michaud and his wife Sheryl of Hudson, Jasmine Allen, and Artie Glenn Jr. and his wife Andrea all of Nashua; five great-grandchildren, Shelby Wheeler of Milford, John and James Michaud of Hudson X’zeyvier Allen and Jalen Glenn of Nashua; a brother, The Rev. Monsignor Neil Michaud of New Brunswick, Canada; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Ann Pelletier of Fayetteville, GA and Joy Webster and her husband Harold of Holderness; three nephews, David Dobens of Holderness, Raymond Dobens of Beaufort, SC and Marc Pelletier of Fayetteville, GA; three nieces, Leslie Thurber of Merrimack, Kimberly Pelletier and her husband Tony Giovanni of Fayetteville, GA and Liz Harding of Newton, MA; also numerous other nephews and nieces as well as grandnephews and grandnieces om Canada and the United States.
SERVICES: Memorial visitation will be held on Friday, February 12th from 5 to 7 p.m. at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. Interment will take place at St. Patrick Cemetery in Hudson at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneral.com
