Raymond G. Constant, business owner, carpenter

Raymond George Constant, 85, of Lewes, formerly of Nashua, N.H., died June 24, 2013, at his home, after several months of illness. He was born in Nashua, Feb. 18, 1928, son of the late Wilfred and Orise (Burns) Constant.

Mr. Constant was raised and educated in Nashua and graduated from Nashua High School. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving occupation duty in Kumamoto Japan as a rifleman with the 21st Infantry. While in Japan, Mr. Constant attended trade school and studied carpentry and fundamentals of selling. He was honorably discharged in 1948.

Mr. Constant attended vocational school in Boston, earning a certificate in horology. As a skilled watchmater and jeweler, he owned and operated Constant Jewelers in Nashua for several years. He had a number of other business ventures in his career, including building many high quality custom homes as Constant Builders in Nashua, which he owned and operated for 20 years. He also worked for 10 years as a master carpenter for Lockheed Sanders in Nashua until his retirement in 1993.

Following his retirement, Mr. Constant moved to the Delaware seashore where he could relax and enjoy the beaches. He attended St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, Lewes. He was also a member of American Legion Post 28, Millsboro. Mr. Constant enjoyed fishing at the piers, playing horseshoes and painting. Most of all, he took great pride in his woodworking skills which were exceptional.

He is survived by his fiancée, Elizabeth “Bette” Dively; his son David Constant and his wife Betsy of Fort Mill, S.C.; his daughter, Linda Hey of Milford, N.H.; his son Thomas Constant and his wife Debbie of Niceville, Fla.; seven grandchildren: Curtis Constant, Nyra Constant, Jason Hey, Adam Hey, Joshua Hey, Austin Constant, Kaycie Constant; two brothers: Norman Constant and Robert Constant and his wife Irene; and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Memorial services will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, June 28, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interment with military honors will be at the Delaware Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro, at 1 p.m.

Flowers are welcomed or memorial contributions may be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.