Raymond J. Gobeil, 87, of Derby Line, Vermont, well-known community leader and businessman died on June 24, 2023 in Burlington, VT.  He was born on April 21, 1936 in Sherbrooke, QC to Albert and Valida (Pomerleau) Gobeil.  He was raised in Beebe, QC, and became a U.S. citizen in 1959. On October 18, 1958, he married the love of his life, the former Rita Patenaude, who survives him.

Along with Rita, Raymond is survived by his children: Gigi Judd (Brad) of Derby, VT, John Gobeil (Laura) of Derby, VT, Brigitte Husband (Rudy) of Downingtown, PA, Paul Gobeil (Tammy Blais) of Newport, VT, and Celeste Gobeil (Joe Capprini) of Hooksett, NH. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Raymond was predeceased by his sisters Jeanette Desmeules, Madeline Daviau, Gilbete Gobeil, Irene Boissy and his brother Viateur Gobeil. He is survived by his sister Lorraine Gosselin and sisters-in-law Darlene Gobeil, Pauline Sousa, Lucille Patenaude and Rose Gravel.

Raymond was owner and administrator of the Patenaude Nursing Home from 1959 to 1988. He served as president of the Vermont Nursing Home Assn. and was a director of Northeastern Regional Nursing Home Assn. Raymond was on the board of North County Hospital when the current facility was designed and constructed. He was also a trustee of Derby Village when a major septic system was delivered to the village. He was a translator for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Raymond was an active member of the Rotary Club of Newport and a member of St. Edwards parish in Derby Line.

While he deeply cared about the health and vitality of the Newport/Derby community, Raymond's highest priority was his family, especially Rita. A romantic at heart, it was never a surprise when Raymond started crooning a Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin song. His children and several grandchildren were honored to have him sing "Sunrise, Sunset" at their weddings. Just days before he passed, he serenaded his nurses with a booming rendition of "Ave Maria." Raymond had a wonderful sense of humor. He was a master storyteller, and he loved to entertain his family with personal stories, especially ones that involved adventures he and Rita shared. Some of the tales he spun occasionally defied logic and reason but were incredibly funny, nevertheless. Raymond was a born entertainer.

Friends may call from 6:00-8:00 P.M. on Friday June 30, 2023 at the Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road, Derby. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday July 1, 2023 at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Derby Line, with Father Thomas LaRussa officiating, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. If friends desire, memorial contributions in Raymond's name may be made to St. Edward's Catholic Church, 191 Clermont Terrace, Newport, Vt 05855. A reception will follow at Le Belvedere Restaurant, 100 Main Street, Newport, Vt. On-line condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.