Veteran Raymond B. L’Esperance of Woonsocket Dies at 82

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Holt Funeral Home

Raymond B. L'Esperance, 82, passed away at his home on March 23, 2022, following a long illness. He was the husband of Rita R. (Metivier) L'Esperance, whom he married on May 21, 1960. A lifelong resident of Woonsocket, he was the youngest son of the late Henry and Delia (Cabana) L'Esperance.

Ray was an Air Force veteran, and worked for General Motors until his retirement in 1988. He loved the ocean and spent many summer days boating and fishing. He was a jokester, a Patriots fan, a father of five, a fresh seafood chef, an inventor of gadgets, and along with his beloved wife Rita, a caretaker to stray and wild animals.

He will be remembered and missed by Rita and their children, Michael L'Esperance and Lisa Lyons of Woonsocket; Lori Mullins and her husband, John, of Somerset, MA; Linda Peterson of Narragansett, RI, and Cindy L'Esperance of Charlotte, NC; his sister, Phyllis Fontaine of San Tan Valley, AZ; nine grandchildren, Donald, Linda, Brian, Julia, Robert, Bridget, Eric, Emily and Dylan; five great-grandchildren, Cora, Lily, Margot, Virgil and Evelyn; numerous nieces and nephews, and last but not least, his cat Kitty. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, William and Paul L'Esperance; and sisters Y. Teresa Barrios and Claire Paonessa.

His funeral will be held Friday, March 25, 2022, beginning with visitation from 8:30 - 9:30 AM in the Holt Funeral Home, 510 South Main St., Woonsocket, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in St. Joseph's Church, 1200 Mendon Rd., Woonsocket. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Manville. www.holtfuneralhome.com

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Curtis J. Holt’s Sons was established in 1930 by Wallace S. Holt. A storefront operation in the North End soon shifted to the family’s home on Rockland Avenue. It was then that the longtime partnership with his brother, Randolph C. Holt had developed. In 1935, a third brother, Howard M. Holt, joined them. In 1943, the present location was purchased. It is the original Victorian mansion of Frederick Harris, of the Harris and Mowry Department Store. Dedicated to serving their community, the primarily protestant firm grew stronger and more firmly embedded in the city’s landscape.

In 1956, Wallace’s son, Howard R. Holt, entered the family business and helped to develop the reputation it still enjoys today. Facing the challenges of social and industrial growth in the area, Howard devoted over 45 years to creating the standards of excellence that transcended the social barriers and elevated the firm to the unique position of leading ecumenical funeral home of Woonsocket.

In 1987, Cynthia Noble joined the firm as an associate and in 1992 purchased the business from the Holt Family. Today, as an independent, owner-operated firm, it appears the transition was seamless.

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Veteran Raymond B. L’Esperance of Woonsocket Dies at 82

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