
Raymond J. Kelley
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Raymond Joseph Kelley, Jr., 74, retired Pawtucket Fire Captain, born May 8, 1947 in Pawtucket to Raymond J. Kelley, Sr. and Helen Louise (Smith) Kelley, went to heaven May 28, 2021 after a brief illness.
Ray is survived by wife Nancy (Rosser); son Raymond David and daughter-in-law Elizabeth and their children Lily Grace, Aidan Bethany, and Joseph Raymond. Ray was predeceased by his parents.
Ray was a faithful servant of God, devoted son, loving husband, supportive father, proud grandfather, hard worker, dedicated fire fighter, and passionate union member. He was proudest of the accomplishments of his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. He enjoyed the camaraderie of the fire service and maintained those great friendships.
Ray's fire fighting career began at 16 with the Glen, NH Volunteer Fire Dept. He served on the Concord, NH Fire Dept. 1970-77, rose to the rank of Lieutenant, was IAFF Local 1045 President, received the Jay Cees' Fire Fighter of the Year Award in 1976, and earned an Associate's Degree in Fire Protection from New Hampshire Voc-Tech College.
Ray moved back to the Pawtucket area and served on the Pawtucket Fire Dept. 1977 to 2009, was IAFF Local 1261 Secretary-Treasurer for many years. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration from Roger Williams College. He was honored to be one of a handful of fire fighters appointed to the NFPA Committee on Fire Fighter Protective Clothing and Equipment, helping to develop improved national fire fighter safety and health standards. After retiring, he and Nancy moved from Cumberland back to Glen, New Hampshire where they lived until his death.
In addition to being a faithful worshipper and active member, Ray worked as Sexton at Darlington Cong. Church in Pawtucket, more recently was the Treasurer at Glen Community Baptist Church in Glen.
He loved the outdoors, especially downhill skiing, competing as a young ski racer and then working as a Ski Patrolman at Wildcat Mt. And Tyrol Ski Area. After moving to Glen, he worked at Attitash Mountain & Bear Peak operating the chair lifts and performing other related duties over 8 years.
Wake: Friday June 4, 6-8 PM at Furber & White Funeral Home North Conway, NH;
Funeral: Saturday June 5, 11 AM at Glen Community Baptist Church, Glen, NH; Will be streamed live on the church Facebook page.