Raymond O. Dufort

Raymond Dufort, 82, of Athol Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at St. Vincent’s Hospital on July 31, 2025.

The only child of the late Ovila and Blanche Dufort, Raymond was born in Central Falls, Rhode Island in 1942.

There he attended parochial schools in Central Falls including Sacred Heart Academy from which he entered the order of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in Burrillville, Rhode Island.

In 1967, Raymond graduated from St. Michael’s College in Vermont and volunteered for a mission in Malole, Zambia. There he served as a teacher, headmaster and librarian for the local school system. He was instrumental in founding the area’s first English Teachers Association and helped introduce award-winning French and English as a Second Language programs to the region.

Upon his return to the US, Raymond was awarded a graduate assistantship at Boston University while pursuing his graduate degree. Additionally, he pursued postgraduate studies at Rhode Island College, Fitchburg State University, Cambridge College, London University and UMass Amherst.

Raymond served in various capacities at Mt. St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, LaSalle Academy in Providence, Rhode Island and then Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua, New Hampshire where he met and married his wife, Jean McNally. In 1993, they relocated to Athol where he taught in both Worcester and Franklin County Public Schools eventually landing at the Quabbin Regional School District in Barre, Massachusetts. He was also an adjunct professor at Becker College. He belonged to several professional and social organizations during his long career in education.

In 2013, he retired from teaching. He and Jean remained active in the local chapter of the AARP, the Athol Golden Age Club, Friends of the Council on Aging, and the Friends of the Athol Public Library.

Raymond was predeceased by his parents and his beloved wife. He leaves behind his two stepsons and several cousins as well as many dear friends.

A celebration of Raymond’s life will be held at Mack Family Funeral Homes, Athol-Orange Chapel, 110 New Athol Rd., Orange, Massachusetts on Saturday, September 6, with calling hours at 12 Noon followed by a memorial service at 1 PM. His ashes will be scattered in a private ceremony. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Our Lady Immaculate Church Food Pantry at 192 School Street in Athol, Massachusetts, 01331: https://nqcatholic.com/food-pantry