Raymond B.”Ray” Roberts (BFD) age 67 of W. Yarmouth, formerly of Brockton died December 3, 2019 at his home, surrounded by his family after a determined fight against an aggressive cancer. He was the devoted husband of Catherine R. (Pierce) Roberts.
Raymond was born and raised in Brockton a son of the late John and Marion (Barry) Roberts and had lived in West Yarmouth for the past 15 years. A 1970 graduate of Cardinal Spellman High School he had also earned a BA in Business Administration from UMass Dartmouth and an Associate Degree in Fire Science while a member of the Brockton Fire Department.
Raymond had a 33 year career with the Brockton Fire Department and retired in 2017. He was a deeply respected and admired Fire Fighter. Ray had the respect of his peers, his superiors and of course his students. Working with rookie F F’s showing, demonstrating and explaining the mysteries of a unique and complicated profession, was one of Ray’s favorite activities.
On the fire ground he was fearless. Never overwhelmed or intimidated by the dangerous and unexpected things that a lesser man would be panicked upon facing. Raymond was cool and business like whether trapped in a third floor hall way or laying on his back holding the fire back while his crew kicked in doors to insure no one was left behind.
Raymond loved the Fire Department. He was, rightfully, proud of being a Brockton fire fighter. He walked tall among his fellow citizens, and as all who knew and admired Raymond he walked tall among his peers. Speaking for Mike, Kenny, Richie, Eddie, Paul, Fred, Jack, Jimmy, Timmy, Danny, he meant so much to us. He’s only just gone but we miss him terrible already.
Raymond, as all who loved him called him, was a generous and decent man. Raymond didn’t wear his generous and empathetic nature on his sleeve. He simply went about his life volunteering his shoulder to rest or reassure a family member, a friend even a friend of a friend. Raymond was the safe harbor for all he knew, friend or relation.
If you were Raymond’s friend, he would do just about anything for you. Whether showing up with a hammer to help you with your roof, repair your car and of course problems with your pool. Family came first for Raymond and he was a hero as a father.
Raymond was the father of Shannon Baker and her husband Ken of Whitman, Jarred Roberts and Jamie Roberts both of West Yarmouth and the late Joshua Roberts. He leaves six grandchildren Brianna, Miah, Noah, Cody, Kenny and Tyler and was the brother of Jack Roberts and his wife Roxanne of Dennis and the late Gary, Mark and Karen Roberts.
Visiting hours will be held in the Conley Funeral Home 138 Belmont Street (Rte. 123) Brockton on Tuesday, December 10, 2-6pm. The procession will gather at the funeral home on Wednesday at 9am for a Funeral Mass at St. Edith Stein Church at 10am. Burial in the Mass National Cemetery, Bourne. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Raymond’s name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148 or the Brockton Firefighters Relief Association, PO Box 3341, Brockton, MA 02304-3341.