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Raymond E. Berksza
December 29, 2016

Obituary

Raymond Berksza, 80, of South Easton, MA, passed away December 29, 2016, peacefully at home after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Ray was born in Brockton in 1936 to Florence (later Mrs. H. Lester Watson) and John M. Berksza, and was a standout basketball player at Brockton High School Class of 1954, helping lead his team to the Eastern Massachusetts Tech Tourney title in 1954, while being named to the All-Tournament team in every major Boston newspaper.

He married his high school sweetheart and personal cheerleader, Patricia (McGowan), in 1955, soon starting a family in Brockton. Within five years, he was the father to three small children - Raymond, Jr., who shared a love of classical music with his father, Dennis, and Debra. In 1974, a fourth child, Jay, was added to the family. Last July, Ray and Pat celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. Ray was an extremely devoted family man, who did everything and more to build and provide the best life possible for his family, and he will be sorely missed. He loved to play games of all sorts with his family, especially cribbage, golf, Scrabble, and trivia.

A lifelong Brocktonian until the age of 54, after many years as a highly effective and well-liked salesman for various shoe companies, he accepted a national sales manager position for Munro Shoes in Hot Springs, AR. He spent 22 years living in Hot Springs, retiring in 2000, where he was a Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary’s Church, played golf year-round, cruised Lake Hamilton with friends and family in his boat, and, along with his wife, forged deep personal and familial-like friendships with two special families, the Grises and Pillers. In 2013, Ray and Pat made the move back home to Massachusetts, settling in South Easton.

Ray was very proud of his time spent officiating high school sports. He was a Charter and Honorary Member of the EMAIFO board of football officials, which awarded him the Official of the Year in 1985. He was also a member of the IAABO Board 54 of basketball officials and the New England Patriots chain crew. He shared his love of sports with his daughter, Debra, who became a basketball official as well – and they enjoyed being able referee games alongside each other.

His competitive spirt shifted over the years from basketball to golf, and he was a member of D.W. Field Golf Course, Thorny Lea Golf Club, and Hot Springs Country Club. Two of his most proud moments were winning the Father-Son Tournament at D.W. Field with Dennis and, many years later, with Jay at Hot Springs C.C. At each course, he was known as a man of good humor - and one who made your day on the course brighter with his infectious laughter.

Ray is survived by his wife Patricia of South Easton, a son, Raymond, Jr. and his husband Kendall Hunter of Salida, California, his son Dennis of Nashua, New Hampshire, his daughter Debra Coots and her husband Woody of Seward, Alaska, and his son Jay and his wife Kristy of Norwood. He leaves behind three grandsons, Joshua, Zachary, and Jacob Coots, as well as one granddaughter, Maggie Berksza, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to deeply thank his patient and kind health care aides, who faithfully did all they could to allow Ray to live out his life at home. Great thanks as well to family friend, Father Mike Harvey, who provided great spiritual guidance to Ray and Pat when it became too difficult to attend Mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Old Colony Elder Services (www.ocesma.org/donations/), an organization that was of great assistance to Ray being set up with the best possible home care.

Visiting hours will be held in the Conley Funeral Home 138 Belmont St. (rte. 123) Brockton on Wednesday 4-8pm. The procession will gather at the funeral home on Thursday at 9am for a funeral Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Church at 10am. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

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Conley Funeral & Cremation Service
138 Belmont Street
Brockton, MA 02301
508-586-0742