MILBRIDGE – Ivan H. Ray, 85, passed away June 1, 2007, surrounded by his family. He was born Aug. 23, 1921, the son of Leroy and Eva (Mitchell) Ray. As a boy he attended Milbridge schools and enjoyed a special relationship with his grandparents. Ivan was a man who enjoyed people and adventures. In his younger years he loved flying in his sea plane to spot herring, and Ivan will always be remembered for his passion and flair for dancing at the many dance halls throughout Eastern Maine. Ivan was a member of the Masons. He carried on his father’s business and was the manager and owner, with his sister, of both Machiasport Canning and L. Ray Packing Co. Ivan’s involvement in Maine’s sardine industry afforded him the privilege of meeting and talking with many, many individuals on a daily basis. Those familiar with Ivan know of his special gray chair in the downstairs break room and his preferred spot at the end of the oversized wooden bench observing the packing floor. Ivan enjoyed having boats built and watching the lobster boat races as his “Corned Hake” roared ahead of the pack. Ivan loved eating out and was a regular at many local restaurants. More often that not, waitresses would have a special seat for him and know just what he wanted to order. Additionally, Ivan will be remembered by his family for his special hotdog breakfasts and by friends and community members for his favorite pastime of riding the roads of Milbridge and neighboring towns. Ivan is survived by his two sons, Lawrence and his wife, Drusilla, and Gary and his wife, Paula, all of Milbridge; one sister, Arletta Tucker of Cherryfield; five grandchildren, Stuart Ray and his wife, Michele, of Milbridge, Joan Ray and her companion, Raymond Martin, of Steuben, Brittany Ray and her husband, Ron Smith, of Milbridge, Jeremy Ray and his fianc?e, Suzanne Hussey, of Saco and Ben Ray of Milbridge; great-grandchildren, Derrick and Joshua Ray, Allexis, Tylor and Shailyn Martin, and Bayley, Thomas and Joseph Ray-Smith; three nieces, Etta Walker, Lisa Binekey and Trudy Heannsler; and a very special companion, Mitch Jones. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Carl Aselton of the Milbridge Medical Center, and to the emergency department and the coronary care unit of the Eastern Maine Medical Center. Though you are now healthy and at peace and we are hurting, we remember that death ends only a life, but not a relationship. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited and may call 6-8 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, 47 Main St., Milbridge. A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, June 4, at Evergreen Cemetery, Milbridge, with Pastor Owen Beal and Pastor Ambrose Rolfe officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ivan’s memory to the Milbridge Medical Center. www.bragdonkelley.com
IVAN H. RAY
