John J. Raimon, 71, a retired Fitchburg Firefighter, died Friday, January 20, 2012, in the University of Mass/Memorial Healthcare, Worcester, surrounded by his loving family, after a long illness.

    His wife of 28 years, Linda M. (Shepard) Walters Raimon, died in June of 2009.

    He leaves one daughter, Melissa A. Walters and a grandson, Anthony Pettiway Jr., both of Fitchburg; a brother, Joseph B. Raimon of Fitchburg; a sister, Sister Anna C. Raimon, of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary of New Orleans, Louisiana; three nieces, Susan Bunish and her husband, Victor, and Laurie K. Raimon, all of Lunenburg and Linda E. Raimon of Fitchburg; three grandnephews, Robert DelGiudice of Fitchburg and Tory and Alex Bunish, both of Fitchburg; and one great grandnephew, Trevor DelGiudice of Fitchburg. He was predeceased by a sister, Eleanor Raimon, of Fitchburg, in 2007, a sister-in-law, Anna E. Raimon, of Fitchburg, in 1987, and a niece, Gail DelGiudice of Fitchburg.

     John was a Fitchburg Fire Fighter for 27 years, serving in Fire Alarm and on Ladder 3. He joined the Department on December 16, 1969 and retired on January 6, 1996. He also served his brother Firefighters for many years as a past President, and Secretary/Treasurer of the Fitchburg Firefighters Union. He also served as a past President of the Fitchburg Fire Fighters Relief Association.

    He attended St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School and Mount Wachusett Community College. He enjoyed playing bingo and enjoyed all sports with his grandson, Anthony.

    He served in the U. S. Army from 1958 until he was honorably discharged in 1967 as a Staff Sergeant. He was stationed in Germany for most of that time and received the Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

    He was born in Fitchburg, on August 15, 1940, a son of the late Joseph and Mabelle (Brady) Raimon and lived here all of his life.

    His funeral with Military Honors will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 11 a.m. in the Fitchburg Chapel of the Sawyer-Miller-Masciarelli Funeral Homes, 243 Water St. Father Robert Bruso will celebrate. Calling hours at the Funeral Home are on Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. Burial will be at a later date in St. Bernard’s Cemetery.

    Flowers may be sent or memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Retirement Fund, 99 Church St., Leominster, MA 01453 or may be left at the Funeral Home.