Obituaries

Raymond Chester Sayles, age 79, of St. Ignace, Michigan, died on August 3, 2025, at Mackinac Straits Hospital in St. Ignace. He was born on March 4, 1946, in St. Ignace, to Chester and Vivian (Shimkovitz) Sayles.

Ray grew up in both St. Ignace and Moran, Michigan. On September 25, 1965, he married the love of his life, Joceline Paquin, at Immaculate Conception Church in Moran. Together, they built a beautiful life and family rooted in faith, music, and service. Ray dedicated many years to the Mackinac County Road Commission, working hard during the day to support his family. By night, he brought comfort and joy to residents at the Mackinac County Medical Care Facility, where he would sing to the elderly during meals, often moving them to tears with his voice and his heart. A gifted musician, Ray was the lead singer and drummer for his band, Solid Gold, for 25 years, sharing his passion for music across the community.

Ray also gave back through public service. He was a volunteer firefighter in Moran and later served as an EMS volunteer in St. Ignace. He was a proud member of the VFW and a devoted parishioner at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church.

An outdoorsman at heart, Ray found peace in the simple pleasures of nature, riding back roads, hunting partridge and deer, casting a fishing line, and camping with his family. He especially loved taking road trips on the motorcycle with Joceline by his side. Above all, Ray's greatest joy came from being a grandfather. His grandchildren were the light of his life, and he cherished every moment spent with them.

Ray is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joceline; son, Rich (Carrie) Sayles; daughter, Jeannine “Sissi” (Jim) O’Connor; and son, Ray (Tracey) Sayles; grandchildren, Bradley Sayles, Chauntel (Charlie Bridges) Ouellette, Raelynn Sayles and Lucas Sayles; great-grandchildren, Ethan Frazier, Christine Bridges and Lainey Ray Bridges; sisters, Emma Graham and Lucy Beaudoin; brothers-in-law, Will (Pat) Paquin and Robert (Wendy) Paquin; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins who will all miss him dearly.

Ray was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Kim Marie Sayles; parents, Chester and Vivian; brother, Vernon Sayles; and in-laws, Maitland and Jeannine Paquin.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, 120 Church St, St Ignace, MI 49781, from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. The Memorial Mass will immediately follow at 11:00 AM. The burial will take place at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Cemetery at 1:00 PM.