Raul S. Quesada, of Townsend

TOWNSEND: Raul Sandoval Quesada, 94, of Townsend, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 after a brief illness. Dr. Quesada was born in Chicago, IL, November 16, 1930, a son of Sacramento Aguirre and Isabel Sandoval Quesada and resided in Townsend for over 60 years. Raul moved with his family to Fitchburg in 1938. He graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1948 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in September of that year. He served in the Korean War as a sergeant stationed in Panama and Puerto Rico. Later he worked at Burbank Hospital performing various duties and it was there he met his beloved wife of 63 years, Lorraine Belair, who predeceased him in 2016. He attended Fitchburg Teacher’s College on the GI Bill and continued his education at Boston University where he earned a Certificate in Advanced Graduate Studies, and later at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he obtained a Doctoral Degree in Family Therapy. Dr. Quesada had an extensive career in education, having taught in Tewksbury, Chelmsford, North Middlesex Regional High School, Gardner High School and Quabbin Regional High School. He served these school districts in varying capacities including as a special education classroom teacher, guidance counselor and school psychologist. He had been an active member of the Townsend Congregation Church for many years serving on numerous committees and as a Trustee. Raul was a kind-hearted and passionate person who would be the first to say he had a wonderful life. He was proud of his Mexican heritage and all he accomplished. He loved to dance and tap his feet as he listened to music. He could fix or build just about anything and took up wood carving after he retired. He was swimming and exercising at Orchard Hills Athletic Club on a regular basis up until the time he became ill. He loved to travel, touring Scotland and Spain with his wife, and road trips to California and Mexico. He especially enjoyed annual family trips to the White Mountains and Old Orchard Beach. But most of all he loved spending time with his family. Dr. Quesada is survived by; three daughters, Karen Quesada and her husband Richard Silverman of Port Washington, NY, Kim Burgess of Townsend, Heidi "Jes" Quesada and her wife Deb Kravitz of Bedford, NH; his step son, William Kao of Vermont; his brother, Henry Quesada of Tucson, AZ five grandchildren, Jamie Burgess, Ryanne Tessier Meehan and her husband David Meehan, Dana Devoid and Leah Silverman; a great-grandson, Jacy Kretas; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he is predeceased by his wife, Dr. Lorraine (Belair) Quesada, and his sister Anita Quesada who died this past November. Calling hours will be held 4- 7 PM Monday, December 16, 2024 at the Anderson Funeral Home, 250 Main Street (Rte 119) Townsend Center. www.andersonfuneral.com Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 17, at 11 AM in the Townsend Congregational Church, 7 Brookline Street, Townsend followed by interment at Hillside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Honor Flight New England, PO Box 16287, Hooksett, NH 03106 honorflightnewengland.org

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Raul S. Quesada, of Townsend

November 16, 1930 - December 10, 2024