Obituary of Raymond Normand Veillette

Raymond "Rocco" Normand Veillette, Jr. February 24, 1940 - July 17, 2011 DANIELSON - Raymond "Rocco" Normand Veillette, Jr. 71, died Sunday evening at Westview Health Care Center in Dayville surrounded by his loving family following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Putnam. The son of the late Raymond and Mary (Kilgariff) Veillette. He was a graduate of Killingly High School Class of 1958. He went on to receive an Associates Degree in business from URI. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves for 22 years and retired as Sgt. First Class. During that time he entered the Connecticut State Police Academy in 1963, graduated and was named valedictorian. He retired after 25 years of service. Entering as a trooper, Ray held various positions in the department and proudly ended his career as a detective with the Eastern District Major Crime Squad. He was also a member of I.N.E.O.A. and traveled throughout the U.S. on many conventions. Upon retirement from the State Police he took a position as Corporate Security Director for Handy and Harmon, a precious metals refinery for 12 years. Also was a member of A.S.I.S. and traveled to many conventions throughout the U.S. Ray enjoyed spending time with his wife Diane, traveling and eating out. He also enjoyed reading, collecting sports memorabilia and was an avid sports fan. Ray was a member of the Danielson Elks as well as a regular communicant of St. James Church in Danielson. Ray leaves behind the love of his life and high school sweetheart Diane (Gumula). They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 24th by renewing their wedding vows. Ray is also survived by his son Michael and daughter-in-law Tina (Giambattista), his daughter and "son" Donna and Guy LaHaie, and his son and "daughter" James and Aimee (Allen); his 9 beautiful grandchildren; John & Shane Herlihy, Lindsey & Michela Veillette, Brooke & Bryce LaHaie, Ashley, Cole, and Danielle Veillette, and 1 great-grandchild Caydem Herlihy. In addition, he leaves a brother-in-law and his wife, Edward and Beatrice Gumula, brother-in-law and his wife, Roman and Carol Gumula, and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Ray's family from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Thursday, July 21st in the Gagnon-Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds Street, Danielson. A gathering will begin on Friday, July 22nd at 9:00 a.m. in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. James Church, 12 Franklin Street, Danielson. Burial will take place at the Holy Cross Cemetery on Maple Street in Danielson immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. To share a memory with his family, "light a candle" at www.gagnonandcostellofh.com.