Raymond “Ray” Trifone, of Worcester, formerly of Southbridge, passed away on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at UMass Hospital in Worcester.

He is survived by his partner of eighteen years, Jon Monge; three brothers, Anthony Trifone, Jr., Richard Trifone, and John Trifone; two sisters, Lisa Kemp and Donna Trifone; many nieces and nephews; his beautiful cat, Gracie; and countless friend and acquaintances he made through the years.  He was born in Southbridge, son of the late, Anthony Sr. and Ida (Smarelli) Trifone.  He was predeceased by two brothers and a sister, David and James Trifone and Mary Brodeur.

He served his nation proudly in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.  Ray opened Paxton Village Florist in 1984 until he sold it in 1998.  He then worked at the US Post Office in Worcester until his retirement in 2018.

Ray was a volunteer at the Hanover Theater since its opening night and continued welcoming theater patrons, until July of this year.  Ray loved ushering patrons and greeting them at the Franklin Square Salon.  Ray always had a passion to visit Portugal since he was a child and was able to travel there and to Italy in 2019.

A Memorial Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 23, at 11 a.m. at Saint Mary’s Church of Saint John Paul II Parish, 247 Hamilton Street, Southbridge.

There are no calling hours.  Interment will be done privately.

If you wish to honor Ray’s memory, please consider making a donation to “Access to The Arts” c/o Hanover Theater, 2 Southbridge Street, Worcester, MA 01608 or by visiting www.thehanovertheatre.org., then select “support”, “individual giving”, then “donate now”.

The family has entrusted Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel.