Raymond "Ray" Joseph Godias Gervais

Raymond “Ray” Joseph Godias Gervais, 86, of Great Falls, MT, passed away Thursday, November 16, 2017 from complications of COPD at his Grandson’s home in Great Falls. A celebration of life is being planned for Friday, December 1, 2017 at 11am at the Eagle’s Lodge, 1501 9th Street South. Parking is located in the back of the Lodge. Cremation has taken place through O’Connor Funeral Home. Ray and his late wife Helen’s ashes will be scattered together at a later date. Ray was born to Emile and Merilda Gervais on December 19, 1930 in Lewiston, Maine. He grew up in Lewiston and got his GED. In 1948 Ray joined the United States Air Force. During his military career Ray was stationed all over the world; TX, WY, FL, England, DE, NY, Japan, NH, MA, Vietnam. While stationed in Worcester, England in 1952 he met and married Doreen Kathleen Sanders and together they had two boys; Raymond James Gervais and Michael Joseph Gervais.After his divorce from Doreen in 1965, Ray went to Vietnam. He would later be blessed with another son Steven Gene Mercer in 1967. Ray retired after a 20 year career from the Air Force in 1968 as a Tech Sgt. at Malmstrom Air Force Base and began working as a laborer with numerous companies and the Highway Department.Ray met and eventually married a widowed, single mother Helen Ferda-Wren in 1969.Along with Helen’s son Michael they worked on the ranch until Michael’s passing in 2004. In 2007 they moved into “town” and Helen sold the ranch to a friend and fellow farmer. Helen passed away in August of 2013 after a brief illness. Ray and Helen spent their time dancing, bowling, playing cards and digging for Yogo Sapphires at Sapphire Village near Utica, MT. But, above all they loved spending time with their large loving extended family.Ray had a reputation for knowing all the rules to the letter and wasn’t afraid to enforce them while play Panguingue or any other card games and also was a frequent winner. Ray had been a Life Member of the Great Falls Elks Lodge and a member of the Eagles Lodge. He was a regular at Thursday Night Supper Club at the Great Falls Senior Center where he made quite a few friends. Raymond is survived by his brother Henry Gervais of Lewiston ME, son’s Raymond Gervais of Long Island, NY, Michael (Marilyn) Gervais of Great Falls, MT and Steve (Heidi) Mercer of Belchertown, MA.Grandchildren Brett (Amanda) Gervais, Bryce (Kayla) Gervais all of Great Falls, Amber (Travis) Zech of Billings, MT and Kyle and Katlyn Mercer of Belchertown, MA and (8) Great-Grandchildren .Ray was also blessed with numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws back home in Maine and here in Montana whom he loved spending time with. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sisters; Irene Verette, Priscilla Caron, and Bea Goosen and his brothers: Lucien, Joe and Bobby Gervais.