Brewitt Funeral Home-Raymond
Donald "Doc" Francis Ray, 79, died on April 11, 2024 at Pleasant Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Derry, NH. He was born on June 6, 1944 in Cambridge, MA, the son of the late George Ray and Gertrude Agnes (Murphy) Collett.
A resident of Raymond, NH since 1977, Doc grew up in Billerica, MA where he resided with his grandparents, George and Mary Murphy. A recipient of two Purple Heart Medals, Don served honorably in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War from 1962 - 1968, earning the rank of Sergeant.
Doc received an Associate's Degree in Business management from Andover Community College. His professional career in sales and service included working for Lumbertown in both Nashua and Raymond, NH, and delivering oxygen for Pulmonary Services, owned by David and Kathy Hoelzel of Raymond. He later worked as a salesman at Home Depot for many years before retiring.
A former Boy Scout Troop 101 Leader in Raymond, he also spent many years coaching Little League and Babe Ruth baseball. Providing mentorship for young men in the community was important to him and well received by many. Doc was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Disabled American Veterans. In his younger years he was a race car driver participating in races in the south on many of the early NASCAR tracks. He was an avid Red Sox fan and enjoyed many activities including playing cards and cribbage, fishing, building models and traveling with his late wife Roberta. His favorite pastime was spending time and doting on his grandchildren. He was also a proud sponsor of the Alzheimer's Association.
Doc had a way of putting people instantly at ease with his friendly, outgoing personality. His kid's friends (especially Jessica and Chris) were instantly his bonus children and if you were lucky enough to be counted as a friend, your life was better for it, indeed.
He was predeceased by his wife Roberta Ann (Nardone) Ray who died on December 30, 2023, and 2 brothers, Paul Collett and George Murphy; and is survived by his son, Donald "Mike" Ray and his wife Jessica of Derry, NH; his daughter Cindy Slayton and her husband Chris of Canterbury, NH; 4 grandchildren, Emily D. Ray, Jacob A. Ray, Branson D. Ray, and Abigail M., Ray; his siblings, Mary Aronian, Patrick Collett, Jean Rogers, William Collett, and Sharon Johnson.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 4-7 PM at the Brewitt Funeral Home, 2 Epping St., Raymond, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 11 AM at St. Joseph Church, 200 Pleasant St., Epping, NH. Burial with Military Honors will follow at 1 PM at the NH State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH. There will be a reception for family and friends following the burial. For more information, please visit brewittfuneralhome.com.
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