Obituary: Raymond L. Chalifour, 89, Salem Native

Raymond Louis Chalifour, age 89 years, husband of Jeannette (Caron) Chalifour, died unexpectedly Thursday morning May 22, 2014 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Born in Salem, Mr. Chalifour was the son of the late Albert and Desneiges (Blanchette) Chalifour, he had lived in Salem all of his life. He graduated Salem High School in the class of 1942.

Following High School, Mr. Chalifour entered the United States Army and served his Country during WWII. Upon returning from the War, he resided in Salem and attended Essex Agricultural School. He continued his education and graduated from Vesper George School of Art in Rhode Island. He was the proprietor of Clark/Chalifour Interiors which was located on Newbury Street in Boston. He was in business at that location for over 40 years until retiring in the 1990’s. He also enjoyed work as an evening instructor of Interior Design at Stonehill College in Eastern Massachusetts.

Mr. Chalifour was an avid reader and loved to garden. He was an accomplished painter using oils and watercolors. He was a member of the NSAID, National Association of Interior Designers and was a past president of the organization. He was also a member of the ASID and a former member of the Salem Historical Society. He was active at his church; St. James in Salem having worked for any years helping as a volunteer. One of his favorite places to be was summering at his camp in Wakefield New Hampshire.

Surviving him in addition to his wife are four children, Randal Chalifour and his wife Alice Bianchi of Salem, Claudia Chalifour of Lynn, Leslie Chin and her husband Carl Joseph Chin of Salem and Karen Kier and her husband Richard of Jamesville, NY. He was the brother of Robert Chalifour and his wife Mary of Marblehead and Edith Hoar of Salem. He was grandfather of Jeffery and Joseph Hall of Jamesville, NY and Lauren and Kathryn Chin of Salem. He was predeceased by his brother Donald Chalifour.

Mr. Chalifour’s Funeral will be held from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., (cor of North St.) Salem on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at 11:15 A.M. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. James Church, 147 Federal St., Salem at 12:00 Noon. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. For those who wish, contributions may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. For additional information or on line guest book please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.