Raymond Haapaoja

GARDNER – Raymond V. “The Music Man” Haapaoja, 77, of 153B Blanchard Street, died peacefully Friday, June 8th in Legend Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Gardner.

Ray was born in Gardner on April 15, 1935, son of the late Carl and Mary (Koski) Haapaoja and was a resident of Gardner for most of his life.

Ray attended Gardner schools and graduated with the Class of 1953.  He later graduated from Gordon College and Seminary, where he was listed in “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities” and where he minored in music.  Ray taught band and chorus at Narragansett Regional High School for many years, and created the Narragansett song.  He later went on to receive his Masters Degree in Choral Conducting from Boston Conservatory.  For 43 years, he was Music Director at Indian/Forest Acres summer camp in Fryeburg, Maine, where he had many close and dear friends.  Ray proudly served his country as a member of the Army National Guard.

Ray was music director at several area churches and was at the Ashby Congregational Church until recently, where he established the music group “Ashby Crossroads.”  Through the years, he was director of many ensembles and traveled extensively in his capacity, traveling overseas to England with the Narragansett Band, Europe with the Boston Conservatory Chorus, and Finland with a family ensemble, who performed throughout Finland and at the famous Rock Church.

He leaves his two children, Liisa Hook and her husband Mark of Maple Valley, Washington and Eric Davis and his wife Ady of Vancouver, Washington; sisters MaryAnn Seppala and her husband Edwin of Lantana, Florida and Carol Couture and her husband Paul of Gardner.  He also leaves grandchildren, Nathan Hook, Jason and Kristine and Tyler Davis; three great grandchildren, Hayden, Presley and Connor as well as many dear nieces and nephews and one maternal aunt, Sylvia Erickson of Athol.  He was predeceased by brothers Edwin and Richard, and a sister, Sylvia Oberg.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 14th at 11 A.M. in Apostolic Lutheran Church, Route 12, Ashburnham.  The Rev. Dr. R. Gary Heikkila and the Rev. Sally Mason Calhoun will officiate.  Burial will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Gardner,

Calling hours in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon are Wednesday, June 13th from 5 to 8 P.M.

Memorial donations may be made to Narragansett Regional High School Music Department, care of Narragansett Regional High School, 464 Baldwinville Road, Baldwinville, MA 01436.

www.stone-ladeau.com

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