Obituary of Raymond Pilon

“That soul, itself invisible, departs to the invisible world - to the divine and immortal and rational: thither arriving, it is secure of bliss and is released from the error and folly of men, their fears and wild passions and other human ills, and forever dwells, as they say of the initiated, in company with the gods.” - Plato’s Phaedo (80d-81a)

 

The family of Joseph Wilfrid “Raymond” Pilon, 64, of Oromocto, New Brunswick, sadly announces he passed away on June 2, 2023.In the fall of 2021, he was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He valiantly fought this illness until the day of his passing at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton, NB.

Raymond was born on June 4, 1958, to Robert and Simone (Gignac) Pilon in Amos, Quebec. He graduated from highschool in 1975 and attended numerous collegial courses, in his home provice of Quebec, covering economics, humanities, culinary skills and workplace management.

In the spring of 1987, Raymond met Debbie Stewart. They fell in love quickly and they wed in the fall of that same year, going on to have two children, Eric and Hazel. For the past 20 years, the family has resided happily in the town of Oromocto.

Raymond served in the Canadian Military for 24 years as a cook, with postings to Lahr, Germany, CFB Borden, CFB Edmonton, and CFB Gagetown. During that time, he also went on peacekeeping tours of duty with the UN in Cyprus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, and Kosovo. He retired from the military in 2007 and took a position as a Human Resource Coordinator with the Department of National Defense before retiring in 2022.

He was a great chef who loved to cook for his family (he made the best pancakes) and took them on trips all across Canada to sightsee and visit relatives. Raymond was an avid reader and watcher of Fantasy and Science Fiction. He enjoyed a wide variety of music from all genres, and was an excellent storyteller who had a tale to tell for any situation. He always liked to get a laugh out of others. He had a boisterous laugh. A lover of chess, he also competed in regional tournaments.

Raymond is lovingly remembered by his wife Debbie; children, Eric (Amber) and Hazel; his mother, Simone; siblings, Linda (Gerald), Gerald, Nicole (Ron), as well as many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his father, Robert.

The family would like to offer its heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff of the palliative care unit at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital, the nurses and doctors of the New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program, and the EMTs that provided care in the home.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Oromocto Funeral Home. In keeping with Raymond’s wishes, there will be no service or visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, or a charity of the donor’s choice. 

“Durand les moments difficiles de la vie parfois ça devient tellement frustrant qu'on voudrais casser des choses, mais on s'arrête, on respire un peu et on se rend compte qu' il ya du beau et du bon autour nous."

                                     

"In life's difficult moments, it gets so frustrating at times that you want to break everything. Just stop, breathe, and look at all the good and beautiful things surrounding you."

                                    

-Ray