Marion – Henry Raymond “Ray” Habicht, 92, known affectionately as grandpa, crossed into eternal peace surrounded by his loving family on October 1, 2008 at Sippican Health Care Center Inc. He was a devoted and loving husband for 65 years to his late wife Edna (Tootle) Habicht. They spent their lives and raised their family on Tootle Lane in Fairhaven.
Mr. Habicht was born in New Bedford, son of the late Henry P. and Julienne (Bertrand) Habicht. He was educated in the Fairhaven school system. He was a member of the Unitarian Memorial Church in Fairhaven and a life member of the Fairhaven V.F.W. Post #2892. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and was discharged as a T/5 from the 32nd field artillery. He saw action in Central Europe, Rhineland, Luxemburg and the Battle of the Bulge. He retired in 1979 from Rodney Metals. He was an avid sports fan, the Red Sox being his favorite. In his younger years, he played in many local tennis tournaments. His favorite pastimes were family vacations to York Beach, ME; daily visits to Ft. Phoenix; and any time spent with his loving family. His family takes comfort in his words “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.”
Survivors include one daughter: Pamela Rae DePina and her companion Bob Gomes; a brother: J. Norman Habicht and his wife Margie; a sister-in-law: Alice Tootle; 3 grandchildren: Kerri Lynn Sousa and her husband Leo, Roselie Diane Spellman and her fiancé Joel Beland and Heather Mary Skrutski ; and 3 great-grandchildren: Breana Rae Spellman, Nathan Thomas Spellman and Madison Rae Skrutski.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend:
Visiting hours Saturday, October 4, 2008, 10:00-11:30 A.M., followed immediately by a funeral service at 11:30 AM