BREWER and WINSLOW – Ray “Pop” Vear died peacefully Jan. 18, 2006, surrounded by his family at the Maine Veterans’ Home, Bangor. He was born May 22, 1926, in Winslow, the son of Laura (Lizotte) and Ovide Vear. Ray attended school in Winslow and graduated from Winslow High School where he was a center for the Winslow High basketball team. He was drafted and served in the 4th armored division under Gen. George Patten and was wounded and a POW for three months in Germany. After his discharge, he enrolled in Farmington Normal School, now the University of Maine at Farmington, majoring in education. He was the first principal at Monroe Elementary School and subsequently took a teaching position at Waterville High School where he taught world history and social studies for over 25 years. Ray coached for more than 50 years, starting with Winslow Farm League and Little League baseball, Waterville High School freshman football, JV basketball and baseball. Upon his retirement, he coached Winslow High girls softball, Winslow 7th and 8th grade football and recreational T-Ball. When he moved to Brewer, he coached Orrington Center Drive boys basketball for 10 years, one of his greatest joys and was lovingly known as “Coach.” Ray was a sports historian and has records of all Maine sports dating back to the early 1900’s. He was considered an authority on Maine’s sports history and had statistics on sports teams that no longer exist. Ray was the football announcer for Winslow High School for more than 30 years and always preceded each game with a history of the teams. He was the “Voice” of Winslow Football. He was a basketball official and member of the board for many years. Ray was a very spiritual person, was a member of the Guild of the Sacred Heart, a trustee of Winslow Public Library, a member of the Waterville Elks, American Legion and VFW and a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Brewer. Ray also volunteered for Cole Land Transportation Museum. Ray spent many happy hours watching his Red Sox. His love of family, education and sports are unparalleled. All of us who knew Ray were touched by his goodness and great sense of humor. He is survived by his beloved wife, Marilyn of Brewer; his children, John Vear and his wife, Melissa, of Richmond, Andrew Vear of Winslow, Timothy Vear of Brunswick, Kathie Welsh and her husband, Leroy, of Winslow, Jonathan and Leslie Lavelle of New Hampshire, Susan and Ismael Benavides of Texas, Jeremy and Ana Lavelle of Texas, Jeffrey and Gina Lavelle of Florida. Grampy was deeply loved by his grandchildren, Kiki and Aysha Vear, Myles and Caleb Welsh, Mars and Rowdy Vear. “Ray Ray” was special to Gabriella and Joseph Lavelle, Jared and Sydney Lavelle and his newest grandchildren, Joshua and Jacob Lavelle and Catherine Benavides. He is also survived by his brother, Norman J. Vear and his wife, Julie, of Winslow and Florida. He was predeceased by a brother, Harold and the mother of his children, Dolores (Tully) Vear. Relatives and friends are welcome to call 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at Brookings-Smith, Clark Piper Chapel, 55 South Main St., Brewer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 531 No. Main St., Brewer, with the Rev. Joel Cyr, pastor, presider. Interment will be at Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Augusta, at a date and time to be announced. Those who wish to remember Ray in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Winslow High “Coach” Vear Memorial Scholarship Award, Daniel Street, Winslow, ME 04901, which will be awarded to a deserving college bound student or to Orrington Center Drive Ray Vear Memorial Award, Center Drive School, Orrington, ME 04474 to recognize student athletes by sending a boy and girl to summer basketball camp each year.
RAYMOND EDWARD VEAR
