NORWICH – Raymond J. Call, Jr., 84, a life long Norwich resident, passed away early Friday morning, Nov. 2, 2012, in the Chase Memorial Nursing Home of New Berlin.
Ray was born in Norwich on May 11, 1928 the son of Raymond and Gertrude Garlock Call Sr. He grew up in Norwich and was educated in both St. Paul’s Catholic School and the Norwich Jr. High School. A veteran of the United States Army, Ray served his country from September of 1950 until his honorable discharge in September of 1952. In his early working career he had worked for the Norwich Mills for a period of nine years and the Norwich Police Dept. for three years. Ray’s longest employment was with the Norwich Pharmacal Co. where he worked for 32 years, retiring in 1985 as a receiving clerk.
Ray was very active in local civic organizations. He was Past Master of the Norwich Lodge 302 F&AM of which he was a member for over 25 years, a member of the Order of Eastern Star #367 for 25 years, a member and Past Patron of the Sherburne Trinity Star #367, a member of the American Legion Post #189, a member of the Maydole Hose #2, a member of Norwich Elks Lodge #1222 and a former member of the Norwich Emergency Squad. He also was a volunteer at the Northeast Classic Car Museum and had volunteered many hours at the Blood Mobiles in the Norwich area.
In his spare time Ray loved to read, enjoyed singing, was a member and Past President of the Broken Squares Square Dancing Club, traveling in his motorhome and rollerskating .
On Aug. 29, 1970 in St. Paul’s Church he married Isabel Myers who survives. Besides his wife Isabel, Ray is survived by his step-daughter Diane Windsor and husband Donald of Norwich, his brother Richard Call of Albany, his step-grandchildren Arthur Windsor and wife Debbie of Florida, Ellen Holtzman and husband Jason of Florida, Heather Calkins of Harpursville, Aaron Windsor and wife Michelle of Ithaca, David Breed and his fiancee’ Michelle Rohloff of Canastota and Michael Breed and his wife Nikki of Florida. Also surviving are 4 step-great grandchildren, his step daughter-in-law Kathleen Breed of Norwich, his brothers-in-law Charles Myers of Oxford, John Myers Jr. of Oxford, Oswald Myers and wife Arietta of South Otselic and his sister-in-law Jean Myers of Norwich. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ray was predeceased by his step-son David Breed, his brothers Edward and George, his sisters Catherine Spencer and her husband Glen, sister Eleanor Downey and his step-grandson-in-law Michael Calkins.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Ray will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday from St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church. The Rev. Ralph A. Bove, Pastor, will officiate.
Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Wednesday from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m.
On Wednesday evening at 5:45 p.m., members of the Sherburne Trinity Star #367 will conduct a memorial service at the funeral home, at 7 p.m. members of Maydole Hose #2 will call in a group at the funeral home and at 7:30 p.m., members of Oxford Masonic Lodge #175 will conduct a memorial service at the funeral home.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Northeast Classic Car Museum, 24 Rexford St., Norwich, NY 13815 or to St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, 30 Pleasant St., Norwich, NY 13815.