Raymond Cyprien LaChance, 86, of Colchester, passed away peacefully Friday, Dec. 5, 2014. Born on April 23, 1928, in St. Johnsbury, Ray was the son of Raymond Jean LaChance and Marie-Germain Aline Hebert. On April 21, 1951, Raymond married Laurette Prevost in Havre de Grace, Md. They were married 63 years and had six children, Thomas, David, Daniel, Robert, Louise and Michelle. Raymond attended school in St. Johnsbury and graduated from St. Johnsbury Trade School. He was a veteran of the Korean War having served in the Japan Theater from 1951 to 1953, after which he and his beloved wife, Laurette, moved to Burlington. He had a fruitful career starting at Sears and Roebuck in plumbing and heating, a partnership in two plumbing and heating companies, and then founded and operated LaChance Enterprises acquiring and remodeling multiple properties. In 1955, Raymond built with his own hands the family summer camp on Lake Champlain, Georgia Shore, where his family spent their summers. Wonderful times and lifelong memories were made welcoming friends and family with open arms. It was important for Ray to offer his children a creative freedom in their childhood. Multiple activities were provided to build lasting memories at the Family Camp. Raymond was very active in the community, serving Burlington with the Civil Defense Department as Communications Director in the early '60s. He also served as a Boy Scout, Scout Master for Troop 15 in Burlington. In his younger years, he was an accomplished violinist playing at various venues throughout the area and had a passion for classical music. As an accomplished pilot, he owned several Cessna airplanes. His great joy was flying over the winter ice on the lake racing snowmobiles. Ray will be remembered for his great work, tremendous work ethic, sense of humor, infectious smile, and family love and pride. He spent quality times with his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and vast extended family. In 1983, Raymond and Laurette transitioned from semi- retirement to full retirement. They purchased a home and land in Big Pine Key, Fla., where they spent their winters for 23 years. Raymond was a wise and loving man; a philosopher of sorts, who mentored and helped influence many. He leaves many writings of his "recipes for life" and his interpretations of them. Raymond is survived by his wife, Laurette, six children and their spouses, Thomas and Linda, David and Colette, Daniel and Lydia, Robert and Patricia, Louise and Martin Lavallee, and Michelle LaChance and husband, Carl Berntsen; and "adoptive" son, Dennis Deloy. He also leaves 21 grandchildren, James, Eric, Tim, Liane, Daniel, Raelyn, Samantha, Christopher, Gregory, Michael, Matthew, Brigitte, Laura, Josiah, Jennifer, Stephen, Erika, Kylie, Maria, Nicholas, and Galen; 20 great-grandchildren; siblings and spouses, Paul and Therese, Richard, Gloria, Elaine, and Joan; and many nieces and nephews. Raymond was predeceased by his parents; siblings, Louise, Herbert, and Maurice; and his beloved animals, Dixie and Rikki. Visiting hours will be on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the LaVigne Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 132 Main St. in Winooski. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Church Road in Colchester. Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.lavignefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to American Parkinson Disease, c/o Department of Neurology, 1 South Prospect St., Burlington, VT 05401.