Raymond Alton Sanville, Sr.passed away Thursday, October 30, 2014 at DHMC in Lebanon, NH at the age of 66 after a long battle with lung cancer. The son of Edward Henry Sanville and Ethel Badger Sanville, he was born June 9th 1948 on Poverty Lane Road in Lebanon, NH.

Raymond grew up in Lebanon, attending the catholic school. At age 18 he married his love, Betty Jane Maxham, on July 23, 1966. He owned and operated an auto body repair shop until the late 1990's. He then became a certified Luthier; owning and operating a string instrument Repair Co. known as the Grantham Guitar Shop. The shop, attached to his home in Grantham, NH, was where he fixed, repaired, and sold musical instruments. He also gave guitar lessons and taught how to build and repair stringed instruments. He custom built his own line of Sanville Guitars.

Raymond is survived by his wife of 48 years Betty Jane Sanville and three children Raymond A. Sanville Jr, Caleb A. Sanville, Sr. both of Croydon, NH, and Amanda Jean Sanville of St. Johnsbury, VT. Four grandchildren Jessica Lynn Sanville of West Lebanon, Caleb A. Sanville, Jr. of Ocean City, Maryland, Autumn Marie Sanville of Weathersfield, VT, and Trinity Doris Jean Newman of St. Johnsbury, VT. He was predeceased by grandson Raymond A. Sanville 3rd. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren Jay R. Patterson of West Lebanon, NH and Makenna Faith Lowell of Lebanon, NH.

Raymond is survived by four siblings: Julian A. Badger of Lebanon, NH, Alfred C. Sanville of Belleview, FL, Eva May Duff of Grantham, NH, and Violet June Lee of Belleview, FL. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and was predeceased by half-brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.

Raymond loved spending time with family, friends, playing and singing music. You could count on him putting a smile on your face. He managed and played with the Granite Mountain Band for over 2 decades. He also played in many bands around the twin states from a very young age learning to play guitar and singing with his brothers, sisters and relations.

Raymond enjoyed building and restoring automobiles especially hot rods and trucks. Everyone who knew Raymond A. Sanville Sr respected and loved him in many ways. He will be missed by all.

There will be visitation at the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home in Hanover, NH, Tuesday, November 4, 2014 from 5 – 7pm. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at 2pm at the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home in Hanover, NH.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover, NH.