Beau hit the road. Gunned his engine and blew out the exhaust pipes. With eyes forward and two wheels on the pavement he roared off into heaven….
Raymond J. Pepper, Jr., 56, of Manville died Wednesday evening April 13, 2022 at Hope Hospice Care Hulitar Inpatient Center in Providence. Ray was surrounded by those he loved most and passed into eternity holding the hand of his one true love Jenn.
Known as “Beau” to most of his family, he also answered to “Ray”, Raymond Joseph Pepper, Jr. came kicking and screaming into the world at St. Joseph's Hospital in Providence on January 28, 1966. He was the son of Maryann (Arsenault) Pepper and the late Raymond J. Pepper Sr.
Beau grew up in Providence. At the age of 18, he joined the United States Army and served his country for three years until receiving his Honorable discharge in 1987. Over the years, he lived in Providence, Woonsocket, Florida and Warwick. He resided in Manville for the past ten years.
Ray worked as a professional truck driver doing long haul trips. He worked at first for Greylawn Foods in Cranston and later for J-Line Transportation based out of East Providence. In addition to his time on the road Ray was also on the office side of things as an operations manager.
The call of the open road was irresistible for Ray. He was a proud Harley- Davidson motorcycle owner. Many trips aboard his Harley took him to Bike Week in Laconia, NH in June, Daytona Florida in March and all over the place. Ray also liked to fly drones, a fun time for a true kid at heart.
Some of Ray’s favorite times were camping at RiverBend on the RI/CT state lines with family and friends. Summers were the best of times. Ray was an unofficial “pyrotechnics expert” as he was responsible for some of the most memorable fireworks displays you ever saw. He loved to spend time fishing and taught Nathanial all the ins and outs of fishing and just as importantly how to tell you caught “the big one” and keep a straight face!
A hard working man with a brassy and gruff voice, with tattoos to match, underneath of it all Ray was really just a great big teddy bear. He was funny, friendly and outgoing. Ray was a positive influence to all the kids in the neighborhood.
The love of Ray's life (aside from his Harley) will always be Jennifer Marie Hofer. Jenn and Ray have been together since May of 1997 and shared many adventures (and some hilarious misadventures) together for the past 25 years.
In addition to his love Jenn, Ray is survived by Frankie Dee and Amanda Lee both of Manville and Kari Lee Marie King and her husband John of Maine. Ray raised Jenn’s children, Frankie and Amanda as his own. Ray was the proud grandfather of Nathanial George Raymond Hofer who Ray loved as a son, and Willow and Ginevra King.
Beau was the brother of Melanie (Pepper) Beland and her husband Wayne of Lincoln, Heather Cournoyer of Woonsocket, Dr. Stephanie Pepper-Carriero, MD of Uxbridge, Christopher Pepper of Pawtucket, Jamie Pepper of Coventry and Nick Pepper of North Providence. Beau is also survived by his aunt and uncles, and many nieces and nephews and numerous friends.
Beau's family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to all of his caregivers, the doctors and nurses and the staff at Hope Hospice who were there for him as he battled his illness in recent months.
In lieu of flowers, Beau’s family suggests that donations in his memory may be made to Hope Hospice Hulitar Inpatient Center, 1085 North Main St. Providence. RI. 02904.
In accordance with Beau’s wishes all arrangements are private and in care of the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home.
www.menardfuneralhome.com