Raymond George Girard, 90, a resident of New Canaan for 62 years, died Saturday, January 08, 2011 at Notre Dame Convalescent Home in Norwalk. Born May 7, 1920 in Gorham, Maine, he was the son of the late Joseph and Rosalie Perrin Girard. Raymond was one of 13 children. Raymond served in the US Navy during WWII as Chief Pharmacist Mate in the South Pacific for four years. He was the founder and proprietor of the former St. Charles Kitchens by Girard, which was located in Pound Ridge, NY. Raymond worked with many interior designers and architects on kitchen projects for over thirty years. Some of the notable projects included fashion designer Bill Blass’ country estate, the Philip Johnson Glass House, and for opera singer Anna Moffo. Many of his designs were featured in national magazines. He designed kitchens for many of the significant historical modern homes in New Canaan. Raymond was very active in New Canaan all his life, participating in numerous fund raising events for the community. He was the former President of the VFW Post 653, Howard M. Bossa in New Canaan and the former President of the New Canaan Lions Club. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Connecticut National Bank in New Canaan. Ray is survived by his wife Elva K. Svensson Girard, his three daughters, Ingrid M. Deane of New Canaan, Pamela Girard of Jupiter, FL and Mary Margaret Girard of West Norwalk, his sister, Lucille Strmiska of Homosassa, FL, grandchildren Carrie Deane Corcoran and her husband John, Peter Deane and his wife Julia of New Canaan, Meghan Beuttenmuller Martinez and her husband Ariel of West Hartford, John Beuttenmuller of Gainesville, FL, Ellen Beuttenmuller and Matthew Beuttenmuller of Jupiter, FL, great-grandchildren Mackenzie Deane, Brooke Deane, Griffin Deane, Peter Corcoran, Christopher Corcoran of New Canaan, and Emelia Rae Martinez of West Hartford. The family will receive friends at the Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St. New Canaan on Thursday, January 13, 2011 from 4-7 PM with a funeral service at 6:30 PM. Interment will be private. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Sisters of St. Thomas of Villanova, 76 West Rocks Rd, Norwalk, CT 06851 OR The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 875 North Randolph Street, suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203 in memory of Raymond Girard or visit their website and choose link: "Make a Gift" www.nmcrs.org For online condolences visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com