Raymond H"Ray" Goland

Raymond H. "Ray" Goland, 50, of 194 Central Street, Gardner died Wednesday, October 10, 2012 in his residence.
He was born in Athol on March 23, 1962, the son of the late Leonard E. Goland and Judith E. (Buzzell) (Goland) Johnson.
Ray grew up in Phillipston Center, attended Phillipston Memorial School and Narragansett Regional High School.
During his youth, he was a member of the Simplex Minutemen Drum and Bugle Corp. and played the trumpet with the Narragansett Regional High School Marching Band.
In January of 1978, tragedy struck while participating in teen antics on Queen Lake in Phillipston. Ray slipped on the ice and broke his neck. He spent nine months in Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston recovering and relearning how to perform everyday tasks as a quadriplegic.
Ray later attended classes at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner. He eventually moved into his own apartment in Gardner, and opened his own business "Ray Goland Tax and Accounting". He later moved his business to Pleasant Street in Gardner, which he was still operating at the time of his death. He was able to maintain some level of independence with the purchase of a modified van which he could drive using hand controls.
Ray enjoyed writing music, was an avid New England Patriots fan and his passion was playing the bugle and trumpet.
He was a member of Phillipston Congregational Church. He was also a member of the Gardner Rotary Club; previously serving as Treasurer, a member of the Gardner Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Gardner Disability Commission. Ray was active in local politics, and served on additional local boards and commissions.
He leaves five brothers, Roger Johnson of Gardner, Ernest V. Johnson, Jr of Westminster, Scott Johnson of Templeton, Jesse Johnson of Westminster and Matthew Johnson of Gardner; two sisters, Sherry Berube of Petersham and Jennifer (Johnson) Mosher of Winchendon; a stepbrother, Danny Patriquin of Templeton; his stepmother, Claudette Johnson of Templeton; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends. He also leaves his goddaughter, Emma Kenney, who was the light of his life. Ray was predeceased by his parents; his stepfather, Ernest V. Johnson, Sr; his maternal grandparents, Clarence Buzzell, Doris (Blake) Hill and Reino Hill; his paternal grandparents, Raymond H. Goland (for whom he was named) and Edith E. (Barden) Goland; one sister, Kristen Goewey; and by one stepsister, Cindy Patriquin.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday, October 26th at 7:00 p.m. in the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 135 Nichols Street, Gardner. Burial will be at a later date in Silver Lake Cemetery, Athol.
Calling hours in the funeral home will be Friday, October 26th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Emma Kenney Benefit Fund, c/o Athol Savings Bank, 444 Main Street, Athol, MA 01331.

Order Flowers