Raymond P Legere

Raymond P. LeGere 90 died in his home on November 30, 2006 surrounded by his loving family. Born on December 11, 1916, Raymond was the son of the late Charles and Margaret LeGere and a life long resident of the Rotterdam and Princetown community. He was a graduate of Draper High School and a 1941 graduate of Ithaca College with a major in Physical Education. Ray starred at Ithaca on the baseball, basketball and gymnastics teams and was elected to the Ithaca Sports Hall of Fame. Lieutenant LeGere served in the United States Navy during World War II as a physical education instructor in Norman, OK, training officers and men for deployment overseas. After leaving the Navy, Raymond worked as a social studies teacher in the Middleburgh School District. In 1948 Ray, Marion and their family moved to Rotterdam where he began his career in physical education. He was a winning coach and later the Director of Athletics at Draper High School. He retired from Draper in 1976 but continued to be active, selling Life Insurance at his own agency and as a Health Inspector and Supervisor of Parks and recreation for the town of Rotterdam. He was on the Board of the Teachers Credit Union in Schenectady, a long time communicant of Immaculate Conception Church and the Edison Club. In later years Ray, an avid golfer and talented craftsman, turned his hobby into a successful business, PLACEBO, where he repaired and made new golf clubs. Raymond is survived by his wife Marion(Slingerland) LeGere who he married November 8, 1941. The couple recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Raymond was the father to Maureen Van Dyck (Louis) of Baltimore, Margaret Miles (William) of Norfolk, Barbara Conwall (John) of Fonda and Thomas LeGere of Rotterdam. He was also the loving father of sons Gregory and Lawrence who both succumbed far too early to Cystic Fibrosis. One of 13 children, he is survived by five brothers, Kenneth , Edward, Donald, Frank and James LeGere, twelve grandchildren , seven great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning December 6, 2006 at 9:15 am at Bond Funeral Home, Broadway & Guilderland Avenue, Schenectady followed at 10 am at Immaculate Conception Church, Bradt Street, Schenectady where a mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday evening December 5, 2006 from 5 to 8 pm. Interment in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Community Hospice, 1411 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308 or to Cystic Fibrosis of N.E.N.Y., 12 Avis Drive, Latham, NY 12110. Raymond LeGere has left a legacy as a strong and caring family man, committed to his friends and to the service to his country and community. He was at the center of the lives of many and a friend to many, many more. He will be missed. Rest in Peace, Ray, you have won your final race.