NEW LONDON, NH — Raymond J. Ettenborough, age 93, long-time resident of New London passed away on December 12, 2018, at the Jack Byrne Center at Dartmouth Medical holding hands with his family.
Born in the Bronx of New York City on January 27, 1925 He was the son of the late Raymond Joseph Ettenborough and Ruth Collier Ettenborough. A graduate of Hackensack High School in 1943, lettering in Basketball, Baseball & Football was also scouted for major/minor league baseball but like many he joined the war effort to defend his country. In 1971 he was inducted into HHSNJ Sports Hall of Fame
Ray, affectionately known as Big Ray, was proud to serve on the USS Vincennes, a battleship cruiser, in World War II as a gunner. He served in many major battles like Okinawa, The Battle for Leyte Gulf but for those who had the chance to hear some of his stories it was Typhoon Cobra that tested his resolve. He and his shipmates reunited around the country for many years to reconnect with the bonds that could never be broken created on seas far away.
Upon his return from the war Ray attended Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA where he played football but upon his father’s passing left school to find work.
He soon married the love of his life Joyce Flora and the two were wed on July 4th, 1947. They Honeymooned at the Cedar Hills Country Club in the Berkshires and in true Big Ray fashion he packed his basketball shoes just in case he could find a pick up game he could work his way into. The two settled in New
Jersey to raise a family where Ray worked at the Post Office and Hoffman & Boyle furniture to save money to purchase a home. He later found his opportunity in the developing post war boom and started E&L Contractors providing landscaping and paving services. He then added the Maywood Power Equipment Company to sell landscaping equipment. In 1971 Ray sold his businesses in NJ and moved his family to New London NH where he started New England Recreational Surfaces specializing in tennis court construction throughout New England and as far away as Belgium, The Bahamas & The West Indies.
Ray joined IOOF Heidelberg Lodge # 92 in 1972 and for 46 years was the chief cook for most of the meals at the Lodge. For many years he was part of the weekly card playing group of Brothers that met at the Lodge every week. Ray was also a member of the American Legion.
Ray loved the activity of sports and it wasn’t until he moved to New London that he discovered a passion for skiing and teaching people to ski. He truly enjoyed every moment on the snow at King Ridge and Mt. Sunapee where he supervised the South Peak and may have literally handed out enough snickers bars to raise the rate of peanut allergies in the state NH. Despite losing his sight in one eye from an unfortunate mishap with a ski pole, like always he remained positive and grateful. He continued to play his real favorite sport golf, he drove, he gardened, he plowed AND shoveled his own driveway. He lived his life his way always forging ahead without fear, he lived every day to the fullest and he loved his family.
His life’s legacy will continue to live in the hearts of those who loved him so dearly, his wife Joyce , his children Raymond, Joanne & Son in Law Ron, Patty & Peter & Daughter in Law Molly , Grand Children, Ronnie, Roy, Russell, Caitlin, Ray, Melissa, DJ, Max, Sam, Great grand children Nico, Luca, Taylor, Aaron ,Apple , Rayden & Ash and many, many good friends.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to:
The Jack Byrne Center for Palliative & Hospice Care, D-H/Geisel Office of Development One Medical Center Drive, HB 7070, Lebanon, NH 03756-0001
A Celebration of Ray’s Life will be held atLake Sunapee Country Club December 27,2018 from 11:00 – 2:00
To sign an online guestbook please visit www.chadwickfuneralservice.com.