McDonald – Raymond P. “Ray” 87 years old; Retired Chief Clerk, Local Historian and former Medford Community Liaison passed away peacefully at the Melrose-Wakefield hospital on April 30th.
Born June 22nd, 1919 in East Boston, Ray graduated from Somerville High School in 1936. He joined the U. S. Merchant Marines upon graduation and sailed extensively across the globe. In his younger days, Ray worked as an usher at the Ball Square Theater in Somerville and as a hatmaker in Boston. He later became a candy maker for Schrafft’s Restaurant in downtown Boston. In 1941, after Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country in Europe, where he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant until he was honorably discharged in 1945.
After World War II, Ray was employed by Hood Rubber Co. where he worked as a production foreman. In 1950, he joined his father, Jerome and his brother, Ronald and became a member of the Steamship Clerk’s Union local #1066-ILA. He served as Recording Secretary and Treasurer for the local union for many years until he became Chief Clerk for John T. Clark Co. stevedoring until his retirement in June 1982.
Upon retirement, Ray remained very active and became President of the Mystic Valley Chapter of the AARP for several years. He later was asked by Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn to serve as Chairman of the Warner Community Cable Advisory Committee.
Ray enjoyed an active social life and cherished the time spent with his family and friends. He loved dancing, singing, going on Riverboat cruises along the Mississippi River and trips to Bermuda.
Ray was an avid sports fan. He also enjoyed studying the Classics, Philately, and ancient and American history. He was a member of the Phi Alpha Theta Fraternal Historical Honor Society, Chapter MU-IOTA and was a member of the Medford Historical Society.
Ray enjoyed classical and country music. He studied piano, painting, geology and poetry. He spent many hours gardening and displaying his perennial plantings and flowers in bloom.
Ray met his junior high school sweetheart, Geraldine DiMatteo at Northeastern Junior High School in Somerville. Together they shared nearly 66 years of marriage. They were married on May 31st, 1941.
Ray and Gerry resided in Medford from 1951 until 2004 when they moved to Maplewood Place in Malden where Ray pursued many interests and participated in many Maplewood Community social activities.
In addition to his loving wife, Geraldine L. McDonald, Ray is survived by son Robert McDonald and his wife Geraldine R. of East Sandwich, daughter Joanne Daly and her husband Patrick of Melrose. Ray is pre-deceased by his late daughter Barbara J. McCabe who lived in Hanover. He is survived by his daughter Susan Legere and her husband James of Newmarket, NH and son John McDonald and wife Susan of Wakefield. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren and two great grandsons.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church in Malden followed by interment in Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford.