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MAJ Mark E Cooper
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Dupere, Raymond J., MAJ.
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Contact Info
Last Address Fayetteville, NC
Date of Passing Mar 21, 2009
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MAJ (Ret) Raymond J. Dupere
WWII - Korea
FAYETTEVILLE — Retired U.S. Army Maj. Raymond J. Dupere died Saturday, March 21, 2009, in Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. He was born Jan. 15, 1925, to Joseph G.R. and Marie A. Dupere in Plainfield, Conn.
Ray was drafted in 1943 at age 18 to serve in the United States Army. He served in both World War II with the 168th Infantry Regiment in the Italian Campaign (beginning with Anzio) and in the Korean War. He was a member of the 82nd Airborne and the U.S. Army Special Forces, and he died proudly wearing his Special Forces ring. He served as a non-commissioned officer, received a direct commission before going to Korea and retired after 20 years of service with the rank of major. Many Fort Bragg and Fayetteville area residents may remember him as a local postal clerk, having positions both on base and in Haymount. He has been retired from the U.S. Postal Service for more than 20 years.
Ray enjoyed sailing and model airplanes and keeping busy building or rebuilding his primary hobbies. He was a longtime member and past commander of the Fayetteville Power Squadron, though not active in recent years due to health. He had achieved the advanced grade of Junior Navigator. The burgee at the Lake Waccamaw Sailing Club, where he was also a member, currently flies at half mast in his honor and memory. Ray was a longtime faithful parishioner at St. Michael the Archangel Maronite Catholic Church, a constant at Mass, where he will be missed by many. He was their salty sea captain. To know him would not surprise you that he would buy an ultra-light airplane in his 80s, aspire to sail solo around the world, and prefer a motorcycle (now scooter) to a car. He tended to his business with order, habit and ritual. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Rejeanne J. Dupere. He lovingly visited Jeanne nearly every day at her gravesite. His life was not complete without these daily conversations with her. To miss those chats meant he was not able, not that he had forgotten.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Ray and Avril Dupere; a daughter and son-in-law, Carol and John McLaughlin; a son and daughter-in-law, Joe Dupere and Kyle McCaskill; a daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Marvin Chaney; and a son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Elizabeth Dupere; his grandchildren, Isaac, Jeremy, Molly, Nathan, Mitchell and Kelsey Dupere, Sarah Ostro, Lindsay Comer, Elizabeth and Sarah McLaughlin, and Ian Staples.
The funeral service will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. today, March 24, 2009, in St. Michael the Archangel Maronite Catholic Church, 806 Arsenal Ave. Interment will follow immediately after the service at Lafayette Memorial Park, 2301 Ramsey St.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Michael the Archangel Maronite Catholic Church, 806 Arsenal Ave., Fayetteville, NC 28301.
Services entrusted to Rogers and Breece Funeral Home of Fayetteville.
