SACO — Raymond “Shrimp” C. Simpson, 88, of Saco died May 4, 2015 at his home after a brief illness.

He was born in Sanford on April 11, 1927, a son of Benjamin Sr. and Diana (Gauthier) Simpson.

Shrimp left school and joined the U.S. Navy in May 1944, serving on the USS Menifee APA 202. His entire time in the service was in the South Pacific, participating in the invasion of Okinawa.

Following his honorary discharge, he returned to Sanford and graduated in the class of 1947. Shrimp participated in football and basketball for Sanford High School, and after graduation played semi-pro basketball for local Sanford teams.

His working career consisted of sales positions with several distribution companies, retiring from Nappi Distributors this year after 32 years.

Shrimp was a full social member of the Biddeford-Saco Country Club and member of the VFW Post #7997, Old Orchard Beach.

Shrimp is preceded in death by: his parents; his special aunt, Eva Gauthier; his sister, Bertha (Simpson) Ferro; and one son, Jerry Simpson.

He is survived by: his wife, Carleen; brother, Benjamin Simpson Jr. (Thelma); one son, Scott Simpson (Donna); four daughters, Kelly Simpson Ste. Marie (David), Deborah Simpson Laurendeau (Rodney), Pamela Simpson Weinert (Steven), and Diana Simpson Legere (Paul); 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren (and another one on the way!); and several nieces and nephews.

Shrimp will be missed by all friends and family; he was always the life of the party, especially the Annual Simpson Celebration at Christmastime.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, May 6 from 4-7 p.m. at Cote Funeral Home, 87 James St., Saco.

A funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Thursday, May 7 at 11 a.m., with burial following at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

To send a condolence to the family or to sign the online guest book, go to www.cotefuneralhome.com.