Herbert Ray Waters III, passed away unexpectedly, Sunday, June 5 at the age of 64.
He was the son of the late Herbert R. Waters Jr. and the late Mary C. (Daluz) Waters , and brother of the late Michael C Waters. Ray was a graduate of Dartmouth High School, where he excelled in academics and lettered in Cross Country and Track. Ray went on to receive his Bachelors of Arts degree in English at Providence College.
Ray then proceeded to become an officer in both the Marine Corps and the Army, eventually achieving the rank of Colonel. Ray spent several of his 20 years of active duty service in Washington DC, working at the Pentagon, at times as a speech writer for the late General Colin Powell.
In his early years, growing up in Dartmouth,MA Ray began his love for writing and storytelling in the late 60's, creating his own comic book stories, filming his own movie series, and writing and recording albums of songs.
His passion for songwriting and music continued throughout his life; even co-writing a Native American themed album about his Wampanoag heritage that was favorably reviewed by Billboard Magazine.
Ray played in many music projects throughout his life, but his favorite and most treasured was a band that he co-founded, Jammin: A Tribute to Bob Marley, which headlined shows at the Zeiterion Theater, the Newport Grand Theatre, and the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, just to name a few.
But what Ray was most proud of was his role as a father to his son Herbert R. Waters IV, to whom he proudly passed along his love of music and writing. Herbert IV, who has studied at Juilliard, is an accomplished violinist and pianist, who has already performed with orchestras at Carnegie Hall.
In the 1980's and 90's Ray was still an avid runner, completing half marathons, and marathons; to include the Boston marathon, which he completed in a family best 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Ray was also an enthusiastic sports fan, passionately following his beloved Providence College Friars basketball team, as well as being a devoted Celtics, Red Sox and Patriots fan.
Ray is survived by his son Herbert Ray Waters IV, his wife Ferilen, his sister Susan, his brother Christopher and his wife Paula, his brother Mark, his nephew Pedro and nephew Brandon.
Visitation will be held Monday June 13, at the Saunders-Dwyer Funeral Home 495 Park St. New Bedford, MA 02740 from 4-6pm. Funeral will be on Tuesday June 14, from Saunders-Dwyer at 9 AM and Funeral Mass at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Rd. Dartmouth at 10 am. Interment will follow at the National Cemetery in Bourne, MA.