PORTLAND — Dr. Raymond “Ray” Lucien Lebel, 86, died Sept. 16 after a long illness.
On April 22, 1923, he was born in Lewiston, the son of Lucien Joseph and Victorine (Bourgoin) Lebel.
After growing up in Lewiston, he served in the Navy as a fighter pilot during World War II.
After he returned from the war, he followed in the footsteps of his favorite uncle who was an oral surgeon and attended Tufts Dental School. For many years, he had an oral surgery practice in Portland.
At age 10, his lifelong enjoyment of golf began. When he was 14, he won his first club championship at Martindale Country Club in Auburn. At age 17, he won the Triple Crown, which included the interscholastic championship, the junior championship and the state championship. Over the years, he won seven Maine State Amateur Championships, 47 club championships, and many seniors’ titles, and was a member of the tri-state golf team for 50 years.
His talent for golf was recognized when he was inducted into the Maine Golf Hall of Fame and the Maine Sports Hall of Fame.
When he could no longer play golf, he reignited his passion for playing jazz trumpet, an ability he inherited from his dad.
In his final days, he loved puttering in his woodworking shop and framing pictures for friends and family.
While he had many wonderful memories of other people and life experiences, it was his life as an oral surgeon, his wife Jeanne of 61 years, and his seven children that kept him going.
His constant positive attitude and his willingness to try new things made his life and golf accomplishments so rewarding.
He was predeceased by a brother, Paul Lebel.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Albert Lebel of Falmouth; his sister, Anita Buckley of Cumberland; his seven children; three daughters, Susan Young of Falmouth, Ann Lebel of Yarmouth and Vicki Koshliek of Cumberland and four sons, Mark Lebel of Falmouth, Michael Lebel of Cumberland, David Lebel of Cumberland and Paul Lebel of Westbrook; 14 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are by Blais & Hay Funeral Home, 35 Church St., Westbrook.
Memorial donations may be made to the Maine Golf Federation, 58 Val Halla Road, Cumberland, ME 04021.
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