Deacon Raymond Desilets of St. Johnsbury passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 at the age of 94. The Desilets were longtime residents of High Street and the Clouatre House at the head of Main Street. He was born in St. Johnsbury on April 12, 1922, one of two children born to Napoleon and Florence (Gregoire) Desilets. He was predeceased by his sister Arlene St. Hillaire. On Sept. 25, 1948 he and Germaine Hebert of Lyndonville were united in marriage after Ray served in the U.S. Army Air Force at the end of WWII. He was a retired longtime Fairbanks employee. Ray became ordained as a Catholic deacon on June 25, 1983. His service as deacon at St. Johns Church was a labor of love that fulfilled early yearnings to perhaps choose the priesthood. Predeceased by his oldest child, daughter Christine Douglas last Feb. 15, he is survived by Gerry, his wife of 68 years; daughter Mary Reinhardt and husband William of Gilmanton, N.H.; two sons: Ray Desilets and wife Jeana of St. Johnsbury, Russell Desilets and wife Beth of Montgomery,Texas; son-in-law Michael Douglas of St. Johnsbury; seven grandchildren: Joshua Douglas of Washington, D.C., Brian Douglas and wife Sarah of Fairport, Cynthia Bugnacki and husband Mike of Gilmanton, N.H., William Reinhardt and wife Nichole of Gilmantonton, N.H., Nicquelle Timson and husband Shawn; Russell Gage and Shae Desilets of Texas; nine great-grandchildren. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Church Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. Burial with military honors will be held at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in May. Because of his standing as a deacon, visiting hours will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church Monday evening, Jan. 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Memorial contributions could be directed to The Good Shepherd School, 121 Maple St., St. Johnsbury VT 05819.