Raymond E. “Ray” Black, age 69, passed away on Friday, February 5, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Raymond was born on July 6, 1951 in Beaver, PA to the late James R. and Glenda (Hage) Black.
Ray attended Beaver Area H.S. and continued his education at Penn State where he earned his bachelor’s in engineering. Ray joined the team at Knoll’s Atomic Power Lab in 1973 and worked there as an electrical engineer until his retirement in 2011.
Ray was an extrovert with a capital E! He was always the host, bringing people in his neighborhood together for gatherings, organizing the Halloween hayride- that continues to this day- and just generally making friends wherever he went. Ray was an avid teller of jokes and could not leave the hardware store without sharing one with cashier! Getting him out of any place in a timely manner was a challenge as he seemed to know everyone.
Ray’s outgoing personality served him well in his involvement in his community. In the 70's and 80's he was active both playing volleyball and organizing leagues and a Men's USVBA team. For many years, he was a member of the Planning and Zoning Boards in Charlton. He was an active member of the Shenendehowa and then the Burnt Hills United Methodist Church, where he co-taught the junior and then the senior high Sunday school classes. Ray also was instrumental in organizing the Coffee House of Burnt Hills at the church where musicians would come to share their talents. Ray was gifted in music from a young age, excelling at playing the piano and saxophone. In high school he played with the Beaver Bop-cats, an award-winning jazz band. In retirement, he played with the Burnt Hills Melody Makers, and the Georgie Wonders Orchestra.
Ray’s talents did not end with music. He was a skilled craftsman who enjoyed woodworking and working on his farming machinery. Ray organized a barn raising on his old farm, where it still stands today. Ray and Pat worked the farm for many years selling hay, Christmas trees and maple syrup. He also enjoyed relaxing in the outdoors, whether hunting, riding his motorcycle, or camping. And who could forget his love of pool. Ray enjoyed challenging friends and family to a game and was lovingly known as a pool shark.
Ray’s spirit was contagious and his legacy will be carried on by his loving wife, Patricia (Croyle) Black; his three sons, Christopher J. (Maggie) Black, James D. Black, and Stephen W. (Colleen) Black; his adored grandchildren, Lillian, Penelope, Violet, Fiona and James and his siblings, Robert J. Black and Linda L. (Donald) Fleming as well as many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews.
The family gives special thanks to all the friends and especially the aides, Sheila, Melissa and Paula, who helped care for Ray in his home for the last several years.
A Funeral Service and gathering will be held at a later date when it is safe to gather.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for
Parkinson's Research P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014, or Burnt Hills United Methodist Church 816 Route 50, Burnt Hills, NY 12027.
Ray attended Beaver Area H.S. and continued his education at Penn State where he earned his bachelor’s in engineering. Ray joined the team at Knoll’s Atomic Power Lab in 1973 and worked there as an electrical engineer until his retirement in 2011.
Ray was an extrovert with a capital E! He was always the host, bringing people in his neighborhood together for gatherings, organizing the Halloween hayride- that continues to this day- and just generally making friends wherever he went. Ray was an avid teller of jokes and could not leave the hardware store without sharing one with cashier! Getting him out of any place in a timely manner was a challenge as he seemed to know everyone.
Ray’s outgoing personality served him well in his involvement in his community. In the 70's and 80's he was active both playing volleyball and organizing leagues and a Men's USVBA team. For many years, he was a member of the Planning and Zoning Boards in Charlton. He was an active member of the Shenendehowa and then the Burnt Hills United Methodist Church, where he co-taught the junior and then the senior high Sunday school classes. Ray also was instrumental in organizing the Coffee House of Burnt Hills at the church where musicians would come to share their talents. Ray was gifted in music from a young age, excelling at playing the piano and saxophone. In high school he played with the Beaver Bop-cats, an award-winning jazz band. In retirement, he played with the Burnt Hills Melody Makers, and the Georgie Wonders Orchestra.
Ray’s talents did not end with music. He was a skilled craftsman who enjoyed woodworking and working on his farming machinery. Ray organized a barn raising on his old farm, where it still stands today. Ray and Pat worked the farm for many years selling hay, Christmas trees and maple syrup. He also enjoyed relaxing in the outdoors, whether hunting, riding his motorcycle, or camping. And who could forget his love of pool. Ray enjoyed challenging friends and family to a game and was lovingly known as a pool shark.
Ray’s spirit was contagious and his legacy will be carried on by his loving wife, Patricia (Croyle) Black; his three sons, Christopher J. (Maggie) Black, James D. Black, and Stephen W. (Colleen) Black; his adored grandchildren, Lillian, Penelope, Violet, Fiona and James and his siblings, Robert J. Black and Linda L. (Donald) Fleming as well as many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews.
The family gives special thanks to all the friends and especially the aides, Sheila, Melissa and Paula, who helped care for Ray in his home for the last several years.
A Funeral Service and gathering will be held at a later date when it is safe to gather.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for
Parkinson's Research P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014, or Burnt Hills United Methodist Church 816 Route 50, Burnt Hills, NY 12027.
Raymond E. “Ray” Black, age 69, passed away on Friday, February 5, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Raymond was born on July 6, 1951 in Beaver, PA to the late James R. and Glenda (Hage) Black.
Ray attended Beaver Area H.S. and continued his education at Penn State where he earned his bachelor’s in engineering. Ray joined the team at Knoll’s Atomic Power Lab in 1973 and worked there as an electrical engineer until his retirement in 2011.
Ray was an extrovert with a capital E! He was always the host, bringing people in his neighborhood together for gatherings, organizing the Halloween hayride- that continues to this day- and just generally making friends wherever he went. Ray was an avid teller of jokes and could not leave the hardware store without sharing one with cashier! Getting him out of any place in a timely manner was a challenge as he seemed to know everyone.
Ray’s outgoing personality served him well in his involvement in his community. In the 70's and 80's he was active both playing volleyball and organizing leagues and a Men's USVBA team. For many years, he was a member of the Planning and Zoning Boards in Charlton. He was an active member of the Shenendehowa and then the Burnt Hills United Methodist Church, where he co-taught the junior and then the senior high Sunday school classes. Ray also was instrumental in organizing the Coffee House of Burnt Hills at the church where musicians would come to share their talents. Ray was gifted in music from a young age, excelling at playing the piano and saxophone. In high school he played with the Beaver Bop-cats, an award-winning jazz band. In retirement, he played with the Burnt Hills Melody Makers, and the Georgie Wonders Orchestra.
Ray’s talents did not end with music. He was a skilled craftsman who enjoyed woodworking and working on his farming machinery. Ray organized a barn raising on his old farm, where it still stands today. Ray and Pat worked the farm for many years selling hay, Christmas trees and maple syrup. He also enjoyed relaxing in the outdoors, whether hunting, riding his motorcycle, or camping. And who could forget his love of pool. Ray enjoyed challenging friends and family to a game and was lovingly known as a pool shark.
Ray’s spirit was contagious and his legacy will be carried on by his loving wife, Patricia (Croyle) Black; his three sons, Christopher J. (Maggie) Black, James D. Black, and Stephen W. (Colleen) Black; his adored grandchildren, Lillian, Penelope, Violet, Fiona and James and his siblings, Robert J. Black and Linda L. (Donald) Fleming as well as many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews.
The family gives special thanks to all the friends and especially the aides, Sheila, Melissa and Paula, who helped care for Ray in his home for the last several years.
A Funeral Service and gathering will be held at a later date when it is safe to gather.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for
Parkinson's Research P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014, or Burnt Hills United Methodist Church 816 Route 50, Burnt Hills, NY 12027.
Ray attended Beaver Area H.S. and continued his education at Penn State where he earned his bachelor’s in engineering. Ray joined the team at Knoll’s Atomic Power Lab in 1973 and worked there as an electrical engineer until his retirement in 2011.
Ray was an extrovert with a capital E! He was always the host, bringing people in his neighborhood together for gatherings, organizing the Halloween hayride- that continues to this day- and just generally making friends wherever he went. Ray was an avid teller of jokes and could not leave the hardware store without sharing one with cashier! Getting him out of any place in a timely manner was a challenge as he seemed to know everyone.
Ray’s outgoing personality served him well in his involvement in his community. In the 70's and 80's he was active both playing volleyball and organizing leagues and a Men's USVBA team. For many years, he was a member of the Planning and Zoning Boards in Charlton. He was an active member of the Shenendehowa and then the Burnt Hills United Methodist Church, where he co-taught the junior and then the senior high Sunday school classes. Ray also was instrumental in organizing the Coffee House of Burnt Hills at the church where musicians would come to share their talents. Ray was gifted in music from a young age, excelling at playing the piano and saxophone. In high school he played with the Beaver Bop-cats, an award-winning jazz band. In retirement, he played with the Burnt Hills Melody Makers, and the Georgie Wonders Orchestra.
Ray’s talents did not end with music. He was a skilled craftsman who enjoyed woodworking and working on his farming machinery. Ray organized a barn raising on his old farm, where it still stands today. Ray and Pat worked the farm for many years selling hay, Christmas trees and maple syrup. He also enjoyed relaxing in the outdoors, whether hunting, riding his motorcycle, or camping. And who could forget his love of pool. Ray enjoyed challenging friends and family to a game and was lovingly known as a pool shark.
Ray’s spirit was contagious and his legacy will be carried on by his loving wife, Patricia (Croyle) Black; his three sons, Christopher J. (Maggie) Black, James D. Black, and Stephen W. (Colleen) Black; his adored grandchildren, Lillian, Penelope, Violet, Fiona and James and his siblings, Robert J. Black and Linda L. (Donald) Fleming as well as many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews.
The family gives special thanks to all the friends and especially the aides, Sheila, Melissa and Paula, who helped care for Ray in his home for the last several years.
A Funeral Service and gathering will be held at a later date when it is safe to gather.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for
Parkinson's Research P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014, or Burnt Hills United Methodist Church 816 Route 50, Burnt Hills, NY 12027.
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