Raynald (B.) Cantin

CANTIN, Attorney Raynald B. Cantin of Hartford died on Monday, December 22, 2008 at Hartford Hospital, after a courageous battle with Leukemia. His family and friends were at his bedside. Ray was born on March 2, 1943 in Fall River, MA, the son of the late George F. and Blanche (Gagnon) Cantin. Ray was predeceased by his brother George J. Cantin. He is survived by his sisters, Therese B. Maynard of Fall River, MA and Murielle C. Jinks of Wethersfield, CT; his brothers, Bernard A. Cantin of Pueblo, Co and Paul B. Cantin of Dennison, TX. He is also survived by his special nephew, John J. Jinks and his son Jeffrey and his special nephew Kevin M. Jinks, his wife Colleen, and their daughter, Courtney, all of Wethersfield, CT, who were very close to Ray?s heart, as well as several other nieces and nephews. Ray loved animals and leaves behind his two dogs, Marmaduke and Bentley, and his two cats, Becket and Gaston. Ray attended St. Hyacinthe Prep School in Quebec, Canada, St., Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, CT and graduated from St. Bonaventure University, cum laude. Ray graduated from the University of Connecticut Law School in 1969. He was admitted to both the Connecticut and Massachusetts Bars in 1970. In addition he was admitted to practice in front of the United States District Court, United States Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. In 1970 Ray established his law practice in Hartford, eventually limiting it to family law. Ray was a founder of the Connecticut/Western Massachusetts Chapter of Mensa. He was a life member of the Connecticut Bar Foundation and the Hartford Club. In addition to being a James W. Cooper Fellow, Ray was a member of the American Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association, the Hartford County Bar Association and the Inns of Court. Ray served as a special master in the Hartford Superior Court; served on the Governor?s Task Force on Child Custody; was special counsel to the City of Hartford and represented the French Social Circle Federal Credit Union. In addition to his family Ray leaves his very dear friends, Jerry Stabile and Judy Williams, his associate John Morris and his wife, Laura, who met each other at Ray?s office. He also leaves his loyal and devoted staff for whom he cared very deeply, Catherine Seals, Cecilia Bayek and Justin Amenta. He leaves very special friends who will miss him dearly, Judge Anne Dranginis, Emily Moskowitz, Robert Kor, Dr. James Black, Harry Barney, Donald Cantor, Jaime and Michael Greenfield, Michael and Mickey Weinstein, Morton Weinstein and Dr. Stacey Nerenstone and many, many dear friends at the Hartford County Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar association and among members of the Hartford Family Bar. Ray will be remembered for his generosity, his joie de vivre, his deep care and concern for his family, friends and clients and his love of life. All who knew him will remember the joy that Ray brought to others and to living. His family and friends would like to thank the staff at Hartford Hospital who took such special care of Ray during these hard months of his illness. Relatives and friends may pay their respects at Ray?s entombment on Thursday January 8, 2009 at 11:30 AM at Cedar Hill Cemetery, 453 Fairfield Avenue, Hartford, CT. A Celebration of Ray?s life will continue at 1:00 PM at the Hartford Club, 46 Prospect Street, Hartford, CT, In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in Ray?s memory to the Mark Twain House; the Connecticut Humane Society, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or a charity of one?s choosing. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT. For further information or to share memories of Ray, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com.