Raul R. (Ray) Gomes, 88, of Windham, NH, passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, in Windham, NH.  He was born on August 24, 1935, to the late Julio Gomes and Georgina Barbosa in Madeira Island, Portugal. He was raised and educated there, and in 1960, left to find a better life in the United States at the age of 25. In America, he established himself as a self-employed remodeling contractor for over 40 years.

On December 18, 1960, Ray married the love of his life Mary Ann, which he spent the next 44 wonderful years with before her passing in December of 2004. Ray fondly remembered their time together and time spent with their children on their vacations to Portugal, Canada, Florida, and Myrtle Beach, SC.

Ray was the embodiment of the American Dream. He came to America to achieve a better life than he had growing up on an island in the mid-Atlantic; Madeira Island was impoverished at the time. In America, Ray worked full time, both day and night: in the daytime to put food on the table for his young family, and at nighttime (and weekends), to build a house in Dracut, MA, where he raised his family.

Ray took a lot of pride in his family; they were always first and foremost on his mind. They were his primary focus outside of his work and marriage. Once his children were grown, educated, and out of the house, he spent more time taking trips with his wife, going to the beach, and spending time with friends. He nursed his wife through her battle with cancer until she passed away in 2004. Since then, he's been the family's rock: always there when someone was in a time of need.

Ray will be remembered as a family man and a gentleman with a big heart who always strove to give his family a better opportunity than he had.

Ray is survived by his children: Donna Hogan and her husband Timothy of Windham, NH, Ann MacDonald and her husband Jim of Hooksett, NH, and Stephen Gomes, of Salem, MA; his sisters: Maria Jose, and Ines; his grandchildren: Peter, Andy, Jenny, and Stephanie; his great-grandchildren: Charlotte, Jamie, Sadie, and Tommy; as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Ray is predeceased by two brothers and two sisters: Jose, Julio, Regina, and Mariazinha.

Friends and family are invited to Calling Hours on Sunday, January 14, 2024, from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM, at the Carrier Family Funeral Home, 38 Range Road, Windham, NH 03087. A Funeral Service will start at 12:30 PM, at the funeral home. Donations in lieu of attendance are also welcome at St. Jude's Children's Hospital. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit: www.carrierfuneralhome.com.