HARRY J. RAYE

PERRY – Harry James Raye, 82, died Aug. 23, 2004, in Eastport after a period of declining health. He was born July 8, 1922, in Eastport, son of the late Harry D. and Ethel C. (Mathews) Raye. He attended Eastport schools, graduated from Shead Memorial High School in 1940, and attended radio school in Chicago, Illinois. He was a veteran of World War II, during which he served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theatre, where he was a radio operator on many perilous missions “flying the hump” through the enemy-controlled Khyber Pass in Afghanistan carrying high-octane fuel to Allied Chinese forces. His service earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. Until the late 1950s, he worked with his father at the family-owned Raye’s Fish Market, on the former Union Wharf in downtown Eastport. He worked the rest of his career as an electrician, at sites including the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Cutler naval station, the Prudential Building in Boston, Seabrook nuclear power plant, several Maine paper mills and the Mearl Corporation, until his retirement in 1984. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and served as business agent for the former Local Union 222. For several years, he was a part-time Washington County Deputy Sheriff. Harry was a wonderful cook, especially known for his fish chowder, baked beans and blueberry duff. He loved telling old time stories of Eastport and singing to children in his family, and touched many lives with his outgoing nature and easy smile. For nearly six decades, he was an avid amateur radio operator, with the call letters W1SMQ. A student of weather, he enjoyed his association with the crew of NewsCenter 2, for which he served many years as a weather watcher, known to viewers as “Harry from Perry”. In 2002, he was the popular star of a series of TV ads on behalf of the Congressional campaign of his son Kevin. In 1964, he and his family moved to Perry. He was a member and trustee of North Perry United Methodist Church, a member and past secretary of Crescent Lodge No. 78 AF & AM of Pembroke, and a member of the VFW and Knights of Pythias. He is survived by his devoted wife of 44 years, Frances M. (Morrison) Raye, of Perry; eight sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Carol Raye of Lincoln, David and Dorothy Turner of Perry, James and Lorie Raye of Eastport, Dennis and Gwendolyn Turner of Perry, Dana and Judith Turner of Eastport, Stephen and Donna Raye of Embden, Kevin and Karen Raye of Perry, and William and Ada Raye of Marshfield; a sister, Beverly Soule of Skowhegan; 22 grandchildren, David, James, Deanna, Deborah, Amy, Kandi, Sandi, Wesley, Jeffrey, Christina, Darren, Matthew, Thomas, Jason, Michael, Sarah, David, Jodie, Brandon, Jonathan, Nicholas and Lauren; 25 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins, and special friends, Anne, Chris and Alex Powers. He was predeceased by his father in 1985, his mother in 1990, and his sister Muriel Raye in 2003. Visiting hours will be held 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, at Flagg Funeral Home, Eastport, where a Masonic service will be held at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Thursday at North Perry United Methodist Church, with Pastor Lehlohonolo Henrietta Montjane officiating. Burial will follow at Restlawn Cemetery, Perry. Those who wish may contribute in Harry’s memory to North Perry United Methodist Church, care of Karen Raye, Treasurer, 63 Sunset Cove Lane, Perry, ME 04667.