WASHINGTON – Raymond L. Bovat of Bonney Lake, Washington died at his home peacefully on March 7, 2013. He was 81 years of age and was born in Southwick, MA.He served in the US Air Force and stationed in the South Pacific. Ray was a Jet and Helicopter Mechanic for the US Army in Fort Lewis, WA until he retired. He also piloted ‘Helicopter Tours” over Mt. St. Helens’ after her eruption. Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping with family and friends in the Pacific Northwest. He also enjoyed gardening, tinkering, and creating ART out of old stuff that anyone else would have hauled away. He also enjoyed a decade of his retirement years traveling with his wife, Phyllis, who passed in December 2012. He routinely meet with old friends at the Local VFW to share old stories and jokes.
Ray is survived by one daughter, Donna Barnes in Snohomish, WA; and two sons, Steven Bovat in Centennial CO, and Mark Bovat in Bonney Lake, WA and a stepdaughter, Cheryl Marshal in Auburn, WA. He had seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Ray is also survived by 5 sisters and 4 brothers in MA. Irene Gailius of Waltham,, Alice Lattrell of Belchertown, Doris Bonkowski, Muriel Nihill, and Jean Parker of Westfield; his brothers, Francis, and Donald Bovat of Springfield, Robert and Paul Bovat of Westfield. He was also predeceased by 3 brothers Clifford, Richard and Albert Bovat, and his parents Richard Bovat Sr. and Bernice A (Menard) Bovat. His cousins, nieces, and nephews, scattered nationwide, are too numerous to name
