It is with great sadness that the family of the late Raymond (James) Osmond announces his passing at the Baie Verte Peninsula Health Centre, Baie Verte, NL on Monday, May 25, 2026 at the age of 90 years.

He leaves to mourn his wife, Louise, and their five children: Mark (Tracy), Richard (Karen), Alvin (Jackie), David, and Cindy (Justin), and grandchildren Alexander and Noah; Reeghan, Kaelen, and Zakrye; Kathleen and Aidan; Kate and Khloe; James and Leah, and great-grandchild Harlee Anna.

He was predeceased by his parents, Hubert and Mary (Hewitt), and his stepmother, Doris (Rideout). His siblings are the late Ethel (and late Eliol) Hurley, Douglas (Jessie), Theresa (the late John) Brett, Evelyn (the late Leander) Martin, the late Llewellyn, Garfield (Marilyn), Norman (Marina), Boyd (Loretta), Linda (Ewart) Eveleigh, Pearl (Edwin) Fudge, Milton (Wanda), Fredrick (Zeta), and Cory (Janis), along with numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

James was also predeceased by his parents-in-law, Alfred and Selena Ricketts. He is survived by his siblings-in-law Sophie Squires and Stella (the late Abraham) Ricketts, and was predeceased by his siblings-in-law Leslie (Dorothy) Ricketts, Alexander Ricketts, Thomas (Amanda) Ricketts, Dulcie (Samuel) Ricketts, Annie (Stanley) Hewitt, Abraham (Stella) Ricketts, Grogan (Susie) Ricketts, Lillian (Jack) Decker, and Edmund Ricketts, as well as a large number of nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.

James was born in Burton's Cove, White Bay, in 1936 and grew up in Westport with his grandparents after the passing of his mother when he was a young child. He spent his youth fishing and logging with his family both in Westport and Hampden.  He began his working life in the lumber camps, then as a road construction surveyor, and trained in carpentry at trade school in Grand Falls. As a young man, he was also active in his church as a lay reader. In 1964 he married Louise (Ricketts), and together they raised five children. The family moved from Westport to Baie Verte in 1970, where James worked as a lab technician at Advocate Mines until 1991.

James loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing, and set up a small sawmill as a hobby project.  Berry picking was a favorite activty and he always kept a long list of family that he would provide with fresh berries each summer. He was also frequently lending his carpentry skills on many occasions to help family and friends with their home renovations. Later in life he took an interest in prospecting with his sons.

In 2017, a serious accident brought his days in the woods to a close; yet he never stopped dreaming of going home to Westport — back into the woods, on the water, and roaming the berry patches he loved.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at the long-term care home in Baie Verte for the kindness and care they showed him and our family over the past two years.

The public visitation will take place Friday, May 29, 2026, from 10:00AM  to 1:00PM at St. Peter's Anglican Church, Westport, NL.

The funeral service will take place Friday, May 29, 2026, at 2:00PM at St. Peter's Anglican Church, Westport, NL, with Rev. Madonna Boone & Rev. Dianna Fry officiating. Interment will follow at the St. Peter's Anglican Cemetery, Westport, NL.

As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Peter's Anglican Church, Westport, NL

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, 22 Main Street, Baie Verte, NL.