TUPPER LAKE-Richard Emond Ayotte 79, of Tupper Lake passed away unexpectedly early Tuesday morning of July 16th at the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake. He was born on November 22, 1933 in Tupper Lake, NY. The son of Mr.& Mrs. Henry & Safrona( Manor) Ayotte.
He attended Tupper Lake High School and continued his education while in the service. He went into the Army in 1951 and served in the Korean War and Vietnam, with an honorable discharge in 1961. Mr. Ayotte was a truck driver his hole working career, driving for, WD Wilson Inc., drove his own truck, drove truck for Jerry Kavagnah and later La Londes trucking. Retiring in the mid 1990’s.
There were many things that he liked to do, but a few of his favorite things were to go camping at Twin Rocks in Childwold, NY & out in Westville, NY. He also enjoyed reading and watching westerns movies.
He is survived by his wife Shirley Ayotte, of 50 years, three sons; David Dufrain & fiancé Janice White, Stacey Ayotte & fiancė Jamie Martin and Alan & Melissa Ayotte all Tupper Lake, NY. Three daughters; Tammy & Bob Rice, Lori & the late William LaTray Jr. all of Tupper Lake, NY and Ann & Keith Wilson of Westville, NY. Also survived by one sister Joanne & William Jackson of Liverpool, NY. Seventeen grandchildren; Chad Clement, Cassie Alejandro, Gina Dufrain, Wendy Badore, Elizabeth Godin, Nicole LaPlante, Jessica Rice, Kayla Taylor, Jennifer Rice, Matthew Rice, Alex Ayotte, Aaron Ayotte, Alexis Ayotte, Kristin Ayotte, Richard Ayotte, Alan Ayotte, Robert Ayotte and thirteen great-grand children; Chad Jr., Hailey, Dustin, Ruben, Dominic, Jillian, Austin, Heath, Tyler, Nicholas, Kendyl, Anderson and Michael.
He was predececed by his parents Henry & Safrona Ayotte, granddaughter Justine Ayotte and many brothers and sisters; Irene Campbell, Florance La Fave, Fredrick Ayotte, Rita Wells, Ronald Ayotte and Gertrude Black.
Calling hours are scheduled for Thursday, July 18, 2013 from 4-7pm at Stuart-Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Tupper Lake. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 19, 2013 at 2 pm at Holy Name Church in Tupper Lake, NY. Reception to follow the burial at the VFW. Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.stuartfortunekeoughfuneralhome.com

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