Raymond J. Dionne
WINSLOW – Raymond J. Dionne of Winslow died peacefully at home on May 6, 2021, aged 81, surrounded by his family. Ray was born on November 23, 1939 to Adele and Augustin Dionne from Waterville.
Ray attended Waterville Schools and enjoyed a variety of sports, particularly hockey. As a young boy, at his mother’s insistence, Ray often served as an altar boy at 6 o’clock mass in the Church of the Blessed Sacrament on Silver Street.
After graduating from Waterville High School in 1957, Ray attended the Maine Maritime Academy. 1960 Graduated with a BS in marine engineering, eventually advancing to chief engineer.
The day after graduation, Ray traveled to New York City and was immediately hired by American Export Isbrandtson Lines. Within 24 hours he was at sea aboard the USS Independence and later the USS Exiria.
In 1963, Ray was recruited to attend a nuclear reactor operator course at King’s Point and later trained on board the NS Savannah in Galveston, Texas. Here he received his Senior Nuclear Operators license and soon sailed aboard the Savannah.
The ship was greeted with fanfare in many ports and visited by kings and dignitaries, many of whom briefed Ray and his shipmates on the peaceful use of nuclear power.
American Export Lines hired Bath Iron Works to build container ships in 1966 and hired Ray as Resident Inspector of New Construction to oversee the construction of Seawitch, Staghound and Lighting.
Ray then moved to Italy with his family to oversee the construction of the taeping in the Italcantieri Shipyard.
When Ray returned to his Bath home, he continued to work on the new build at BIW, working for Farrell Lines container ships and State Lines roll-on roll-off ships.
In 1980 Ray moved to the Philips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, Okla. There he was fleet superintendent for oil tankers and oversaw the construction of new tankers and liquefied natural gas ships in China.
In autumn 1992/93 Ray moved to Monaco as production manager to oversee the conversion of a tanker to a floating, production and storage ship. In 1993-1994, the Ray tanker project led to ship conversion to Singapore. Ray then moved to Norway, where he continued to work with the tanker fleet and the associated oil platform work until he retired.
Ray retired from Philips in 1995 but rejoined the workforce shortly thereafter to work for Tycom Reliance as assistant director of new construction for cable-laying vessels in Singapore.
Ray’s great love was his family, and he bequeathed his wife Mary; and six children, Kelly (Bruce) Dionne-Yahr, Karen Dionne (Tim Neville), Kathy Dionne (Brian Beard), Kristin Dionne (Rob Katz), Karolyn (Tom) Dreiling, Michael Dionne (Jennifer Grant); six grandchildren, Tommy, Peter, Addie, Davis, Leah, and Sari; his brother Jim (Nancy) Dionne; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Ray had died from his sisters Stella Pelletier, Geraldine Quirion, Robbie Dumont and Joan Gurney.
Ray was a calm, kind and gentle man with a lovely smile, quick wit and great sense of humor. He is very much missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
The arrangements are made under the direction and supervision of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville. An online guest book can be signed with condolences and reminders can be shared at http://www.gallantfh.com
Instead of flowers
Contributions can be made in his memory to:
Maine Maritime Academy
1 pleasant St.
Castine, ME 04420 or:
Maine General Hospice
P.O. Box 828
Waterville, ME 04903
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