NORWICH – Raymond W. Cummings, 89, of Norwich, passed away early Thursday morning, Feb. 16, 2012, at his home.
An almost life-long Norwich resident, Ray was born in Guilford in April of 1922, one of the seven sons of Ray H. and Inez Whitmore Cummings. He spent his grade school years in several different townships, and attended Norwich High School. In 1937, Ray’s family purchased a farm on Dilly Hill and within a few years after the war his mother passed away at a young age. Ray took over the management of the farm while simultaneously taking care of his brothers, Ralph and Leslie. An easy going and tolerant man, he was successful at both jobs, running the farm and providing a stable home for his brothers.
Justifiably proud of his military service, Ray joined the U.S. Army in September of 1942 and served through his honorable discharge in Sept. of 1945, during which time he took part in several invasions including Anzio. His tours of duty included Central Europe, Naples, Rhineland, Rome and Sicily, Southern France, and Tunisia, and his numerous decorations included the Bronze Star, and European African Middle Eastern service medals as well as the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. In the service only about a year, Ray was one of two soldiers who captured eight Germans and brought them back to their lines, a feat which was written up in the St. Louis Dispatch.
On Dec. 27, 1948, Ray and Katherine Satterlee were married. After the sale of the farm in 1964, Ray and two of his brothers, Richard and Lee, began their own business, Cummings Brothers Builders from which Ray retired in 1987.
Ray is survived by his wife, Katherine Cummings of Norwich; by his sons and their wives, Gary and Joy Cummings of Norwich and Raymond and Betsy Cummings of Unadilla; by his brother, Richard Cummings of Norwich; his grandchildren: Charity Therrien and husband James of San Diego, Matthew Cummings and wife Amanda of Atlanta; and his step-grandchildren: Benjamin Riker of Sidney and Nathan Riker of Morris. Also surviving are great grandchildren Kay, Jacob, and Cora Cummings, and Hope and Daisy Therrien; his nieces and nephews: Joann Moore, Daniel Cummings, Cathy Simpson, and David Cummings, who are brother Ralph’s children and who Ray considered his grandchildren, and numerous other nieces and nephews. Ray was predeceased by his brothers Ralph, Leslie, Vernon, Lee, and Edwin.
Funeral services for Ray will be held at 11 a.m. Monday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Sharon Hepburn, Ray’s niece, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Riverview Cemetery of Oxford. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815.