Raymond A. Plamondon

June 13, 1930 - February 22, 2018

TRAVERSE CITY - Raymond Plamondon, 87, of Traverse City, passed away February 22, 2018, with his family by his side. Raymond was born on June 13, 1930, in Lake Leelanau to Raymond J. and Catherine (Kolarik) Plamondon. He graduated from Lake Leelanau St Mary High School in 1949. The following year he went to work sailing on freighters on the Great Lakes. After three years he attended Navigation School in Cleveland, Ohio, where he earned his Pilot license at the age of 22, the youngest officer for the Hutchinson Steamboat Company. He sailed an additional 10 years before returning to the Leelanau/Grand Traverse area where he sold real estate for a few years. In 1966 he went to work for the City of Traverse City, retiring in 1992 as Superintendent of Parks and Recreation. One of the projects that Ray will be remembered for is his building of the Traverse City miniature city. In 1963 he married Marjorie Mattingly who died in 1968. On May 1, 1976 he married Catherine Birdsey in Mapleton. He developed an interest in photography, taking courses at the Famous Photography School in New York. He did wedding photography on weekends for 29 years and worked part time at the Camera Shop. Raymond was a member of St. Francis Church for many years, serving for 25 years as an usher, and several years on the Parish Council. He was also a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus and involved with Right to Life since its beginning in 1973. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and his sisters: Elizabeth Popp, Marie Hope, Odile Horn, Margaret Alpers, Genevieve Volke, and Sr. Mary Edward. He is survived by his wife, Catherine, his sister Dorothy Chimoski, and many nieces and nephews. Raymond was a member of St. Francis Church for many years, serving for 25 years as an usher, and several years on the Parish Council. He was also a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus and involved with Right to Life since its beginning in 1973. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Raymond to St Francis Catholic Church, Grand Traverse Right to Life, Fr. Fred Foundation, American Kidney Fund, Pregnancy Care Center, Heartland Hospice of Traverse City or charity of choice. Visitation will take place Friday February 23, 2018 at St. Francis Catholic Church from 5-7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Saturday February 24, 2017 at 11:00am with visitation one hour prior. Raymond's final resting place will be Oakwood Catholic Cemetery. The family is being cared for and served by the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home.