Raymond George Sideleau

Raymond George “Ray” Sideleau, 92, of Winchendon, died peacefully in Gardner on Friday, July 17, 2026, after a period of declining health. His family was able to be with him, express their love, and say goodbye.

Ray was born in Fitchburg on February 19, 1934, the son of George Edward and Marie Ange (Chabot) Sideleau. His Catholic faith took root at St. Joseph’s Church in Fitchburg, where he began serving at the altar as a boy.

At age 16, Ray entered the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette. He later professed as a religious brother and served in La Salette communities across New England for more than two decades. While at La Salette in Enfield, New Hampshire, he completed the curriculum leading to his Certificate of High School Equivalency, awarded in 1968. After completing that chapter in 1973, he began a new chapter centered on work, parish service, marriage, and family.

Upon returning to Fitchburg, Ray resumed serving at St. Joseph’s. There, through their shared ministry as Eucharistic ministers, he met MaryRose Therese Vautour. They began dating in January 1982 and married at St. Joseph’s on August 21, 1983. Their nearly 43-year marriage was grounded in faith, loyalty, and a deep love Ray often expressed through constancy and service. In 1985, they welcomed twins, Scott and Andrea, and built their family life in Winchendon.

Ray worked as a ward attendant at Foxborough State Hospital and as a color-matching assistant at Decotone in Fitchburg. From 1975 until retiring from full-time employment in 1995, he worked in custodial and facilities service at Lunenburg Public Schools, St. Joseph School, St. Bernard’s Activity Center, and Franklin Pierce College. His career culminated at Franklin Pierce, where he worked year-round as a full-time custodian. His work was often behind the scenes, but steady and necessary. In retirement, he served local children as a crossing guard for the Winchendon Public Schools.

St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Baldwinville became Ray and MaryRose’s enduring spiritual home. For as long as his health permitted, Ray served as sacristan, acolyte, Eucharistic minister, catechist, and leader of communion services. He also served as an assistant den leader with Pack 193 in Winchendon and chaplain of Troop 27 in East Templeton, receiving the Bronze Pelican Award for his service to Catholic youth through Scouting.

Ray was deeply faithful, but never only solemn. He was outgoing, playful, and happy to talk with nearly anyone. Younger parish families affectionately called him “Party Man,” while his tradition of placing American flags for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July earned him the nickname “Flag Man.”

An amateur radio operator, Ray was known by the call sign WA1MQB—“Whiskey Alpha One Mother’s Quiet Baby.” He loved the French language and its songs, New England 2 lighthouses, classic Westerns, World War II films, the New England Patriots, travel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and an occasional cask-aged or peated Scotch.

Above all, Ray was a devoted husband, father, brother, and Pepere. He and MaryRose were Memere and Pepere to their four grandchildren. Ray sang the French song “La laine des moutons” to them; during his final days, MaryRose sang it back to him, and Scott now carries the song forward with his own children. 

Ray leaves his wife, MaryRose Therese (Vautour) Sideleau of Winchendon; his son, Scott Raymond Sideleau of Tiverton, Rhode Island, and Scott’s children, Phoebe Elisabeth, Nolan Scott, and Garrison Robert Sideleau; his daughter, Andrea Marie-Therese Metcalf and her husband, Michael, of Ashburnham, and their daughter, Adelynn Rae Metcalf; and his brother, Rene Paul Sideleau of Fitchburg. He was predeceased by his parents.

Calling hours will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home in Winchendon. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Baldwinville. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Fitchburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Parish, P.O. Box 14, Baldwinville, MA 01436.