Raymond Alan Currier

Raymond A. Currier Raymond Currier died July 10, 2015. He was the son of the late Raymond and Imogene (Barron) Currier born on May 4, 1925 in Somerville, MA. He was the elder brother of the late Jean (Currier) Bacas and Richard Currier. Before he began grade school, the family moved to Salisbury, MA where he attended the Jacob F. Spaulding School and Amesbury High School. Leaving AHS before his senior year, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was married to Lois (Ward) Currier of Seabrook, NH for 53 years. She died in 2005. Ray attended the University of Massachusetts and the State University of New York (Syracuse) College of Forestry where he graduated with a Master of Science. He ventured west to join the Oregon Forest Products Laboratory at Oregon State University in 1952. Ray made life long friends among the staff and students from the Department of Forest Products in the School of Forestry at OSU. Ray often helped his colleagues with their projects and put in extra hours showing students how products were made and improved. Ray’s versatility can be seen in the type of projects that were assigned to him: Lateral Testing of Roof Structures, Wood Based Core Panels, Utilization of Bark Waste, Paint Durability on Wood, Weatherization of Glue in Plywood and how various kinds of NW woods could be pelletized. That foundational work became the Wood Pellet Industry providing fuel for both home and commercial heating. This small band of researchers left a huge mark on the growth of Oregon’s economy. Ray was a key member when the Forest Products Society held its National Meeting in Portland. His annual trips to the Palouse to attend an international professional meeting on Wood Composites will always be remembered for his professionalism, friendship and especially the socializing with others from all around the world; his travel companions will always remember the stories of Oregon, the forest products industry, its railroads, and its people. Ray had a special group of friends that bowled in the Faculty league and won several awards over the years; their post game conversations were lively at “Darrell’s”, the local watering hole. Of equal importance was the “Lamplighter” Lounge, the Friday after-work site that morphed into “The Old World Deli” in later years. And to a special group of beloved friends, the canoe trips down the Willamette and Santiam Rivers on Saturday afternoons shall remain the best of memories. Ray had become a proud Oregonian, receiving his Pioneer fishing license, but his heart still leaned heavily to New England. In his retirement years, Ray enjoyed a group of railroad friends on weekday mornings to trade stories, a wonderful pastime that was always worth his bike ride to the Deli. Ray will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Joyce Northam was a dear friend and companion to Ray. She welcomed him into her family and included him in many of their activities, holiday celebrations and outings. Lunches and dinners at area restaurants became a special time of sharing and companionship for Ray and Joyce. Ray was devoted to his family, making trips to Massachusetts to spend time in the summer with his sister and brother and their families. He is dearly loved by his nieces and nephews Cathy Bacas Torrey, Karen Bacas Peterson, David A. Currier and Steven Currier, 6 great nieces, Anna McGonnell, Mary Torrey, Emily, Maggie, Aimee and Kaycee Currier, 1 great, great nephew Liam McGonnell, his sister-in-law Alice Currier and many devoted friends and colleagues. Ray, quiet but a great story teller; talented researcher but unassuming; respected but never wanted fame; New England values but a Western friend we all wanted for a friend—the only kind worth having! Please join family and friends for a celebration of Ray’s life that will be held on Saturday, August 22 at The Old World Deli at 4 pm. A burial service will be held in Seabrook, NH at a later date.

Raymond Alan Currier

May 4, 1925 - July 10, 2015