Ray Meunier

Ray Meunier was born in Ebenezer, New York, just south of Buffalo, on February 16, 1928 and died in Englewood, Colorado on August 29, 2017.  He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret Pauline Sigurdson, his parents Octave and Sophie Louise Meunier, his brothers Maurice, John, and Andrew Meunier, his sisters Jeanne Waller, Mary Hannon and Rose Hartnett, and his brother-in-law William Sigurdson.  He is survived by his sons Bruce (Merry) and Brian (Tammy) Meunier and their two daughters Morgan and Samantha, his brother in law Raymond (Phillis) Sigurdson, and  longtime friend and companion Helen Amundsen, many nephews and nieces, great nephews and nieces and great great nephews and nieces.  He considered himself a farm and country boy since his father, a stone mason, moved the family west from Buffalo to Bloomington, Indiana then Detroit, Michigan and Winona, Minnesota and finally at the beginning of the great depression the family rented the 240 acre Wagner farm on the Caledonia Plains near the city of Galesville, Wisconsin.  Like many, the Meunier family went through many hardships in the 1930’s but was held together by strong family ties common in families with French heritage.  Ray stayed on in Wisconsin when his parents and sisters moved back to western New York in 1944 and graduated from Galesville High School with the Class of 1946.  After graduation, he was immediately drafted into the U.S. Army (WWII did not officially end until December 31, 1946) and was sent to Korea as a combat infantryman/rifleman with the 6th Infantry.  Upon returning from Korea he was discharged from active duty in January 1948 and moved back to Buffalo with the family.  He did stay in the Army Reserves.  Using the WWII GI Bill, he enrolled in a Radio, Television and electronics school while working as a butcher at the Mohican’s grocery store. With the outbreak of the Korean War his reserve unit was among the first to be called up to be shipped to the war zone. Because of his radio electronics certification, he was reassigned from Combat infantryman to a radio technician and went to Korea to operate and maintained a mobile, forward communication outpost supporting the 25th Infantry Division.  He was rotated out of Korea Theater of War in late spring of 1951.  Ray returned to Buffalo and married his prewar and wartime sweetheart Margaret Pauline Sigurdson on August 25, 1951. Their first son Bruce was born on August 4, 1953 in Kenmore N.Y.

Ray worked with Bell Aircraft through 1958. An opportunity presented itself to relocate to Colorado to work with Martin Marietta. There his second son Brian was born on April 6, 1962.

Ray worked at Martin Marietta for 30 years. He was highly respected for his work ethic, knowledge and supervisor ability in his position as Aerospace Test Engineer.

Ray retired in January of 1989. His first 3 years were devoted to helping his wife Margaret battle cancer. She passed in July of 1992. He spent the remaining retirement years enjoying family and friends. He met Helen Amundson in 1997 and they remained good friends. He passed from complications from Parkinson's on August 29th in his home where he spent the last 58 years.

He loved teaching kids sports as he coached youth soccer for 20 years, and played with Bruce, Brian and friends. He loved anything sports related, loved all Colorado teams, sports radio and TV. Some of his passions and activities include: walking, golf, basketball (killer left handed dunk shot), card games, crossword puzzles, reading newspapers and books, yardwork (lawn & flowerbeds), scratch tickets, Publishers Clearing House (certain his entry was going to win). He respected money, was a fix it yourself kind of guy, cars - $50.00 junkers-bought a car in 1962, 1978 and 1989.

Ray is survived by numerous family, friends and neighbors. He was a good husband, father, brother, uncle, grandpa and neighbor. People liked him and he liked people.

Viewing and visitation will be Wednesday, September 6, 2017 from 5:00-8:00 pm at Drinkwine Family Chapel. Funeral service Thursday 11:30 a.m. at Drinkwine Family Chapel with burial to follow at Ft. Logan National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson Association of the Rockies - 1325 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver CO 80222  in Ray's memory.

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