Joseph 'Ray' Giroux

Joseph Raymond Giroux, 90, most recently of the Colonial Apartments in St. Johnsbury, passed away at the St. Johnsbury Health and Rehab Center on Saturday, April 15, 2017.  He and his wife Waja moved here a year ago to be near family after the death of their daughter Juliana.

He was born in Burlington, Vermont on July 22, 1926, the son of Michael and Ernestine (Morin) Giroux.  Their daughter Juliana Cofone passed away in 2014.  He and Waja were blessed in 1957 to have the Vermont Catholic charities place Juliana in their care.

Known by his family and friends as ‘Ray’, he had a long career as a systems analyst with General Electric.  The family later moved from Mississippi to Mystic, Connecticut where he worked for General Dynamics/Electric Boat ship builders.  For many years Ray was a fundraiser for The B.F. Hoxie Company, a volunteer fire company, in Mystic, Connecticut.  Ray wrote poetry in his spare time and, over the years, had eight publications.  He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his wife Waja; brother William Giroux of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; sister-in-law Dorothy Cummings and her husband Kermit of Huntsville, Texas, sister-in-law Marie Giroux of Burlington, sister-in-law Cathy Giroux of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Waja’s brother Jan Popiel of Amsterdam, New York; many nieces and nephews.

Besides his daughter Juliana, Ray was predeceased by two brothers, Michael Giroux and Arthur Giroux, and by two sisters, Jeannette Cormier and her husband Gil, Rita St. Louis and her husband Ken; Waja’s sister Lottie Galka and her husband Edmund, Waja’s sister-in-law Jane Popiel.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Johnsbury this Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church.  Fr. Curtis Miller will be the celebrant.  There will be no visiting hours.

Memorial contributions could be directed to: Vermont Catholic Charities, Attention Hope Kennedy, 55 Jay Dr., South Burlington VT 05403.

Condolences may be shared with his wife at www.saylesfh.com.