Raymond J. Smith

Raymond J. Smith of Huntington, NY, at the age of 94 – accomplished Banker, Sailor, Kayaker, and Golfer, died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family, on May 31, 2015. He was born in New York City December 15, 1920, son of Ermalinda and Peter Smith. He was raised in the 5 boroughs of New York, first learning to paddle a canoe and sail at the age of 14; and has been paddling and sailing for more than 80 years. He was an active member of the Bayside Yacht Club and then the Centerport Yacht Club after moving to Huntington, NY 65 years ago. He raced Penguins, Luders 16 and Ensigns, and many sailors on Long Island Sound remember seeing “Allure” in the winner’s circle numerous times, with his beloved wife of 59 years, Irene by his side; and with his family as his crew. His love of the water continued as Ray was a Navy and Naval Reserve Veteran for 35 years, serving in 3 wars: World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War; commissioned as a Commander. He often entertained his family and friends with his salty Navy stories, peppered with jokes and laughs continuously along the way. He never forgot his roots, continuing to support several US Navy non-profits (see below for contributions) plus mentoring friends and family who chose to pursue military careers as well. Ray was a graduate of New York University, with a BS in Business Administration, while working full time. He worked for Manufacturers Hanover Trust (now part of JP Morgan Chase) for 40 years, retiring as a VP of Pensions. He also lectured at Hofstra University in Finance, and was an active member of the American Bankers Association. His love of finance never stopped, watching CNBC daily and actively managing his investments continually each day at the age of 94. In addition to sailing, Ray was an avid kayaker and was an active member of the North American Canoe and Paddle Club, and the Long Island Paddlers. He was a supervising Kayaker for many charities, including the Swim across America, which donates money for Cancer research. In 2014, the Long Island chapter raised more than $700K, with Ray supervising a group of kayakers escorting the swimmers as they crossed Long Island Sound, doing this at 93 years old! He kayaked every day, even in the winter, racing the ice forming around him in Northport harbor, truly an amazing feat. Ray also volunteered at the local YMCA, teaching the love of kayaking to novices, both in the pool and on the North Shore and South Shore of Long Island as well. In addition to kayaking, he golfed regularly, collecting both old clubs plus hundreds of golf balls he would find along the way. He obtained the elusive Hole in One; another amazing achievement for an incredible man. In addition, Ray was a great lover of animals of all kinds, and had a strong fondness for a certain raccoon family, whom he continued to care about right up until he died. His love of sailing, kayaking, golf and animals is topped only by his love of his family; nurturing his 4 nieces and 1 nephew since they were children, plus numerous nearby cousins and special friends as well. Ray is pre-deceased by his wife Irene Rock (2001), and is survived by nephew Peter Smith (Kathleen), and nieces Valerie Paul (David), Lorraine Rock-Seabol (Russell), Ellen Bassi (Robert), and Charlotte Russ (Klaus), and their many children and grandchildren; plus cousins DoreeAnn Kohl, Cynthia Abate, and Victoria Insalaco and their close knit families. He has a strong network of family and friends who he cared deeply for including Roy Kselman and Barbara Kelly. Ray will always be remembered as a very special person, small in stature but his largess and kindness was unsurpassed. Ray was a major contributor to numerous charities his whole life; the family has selected 2 of them for contributions. They can be made in his name to: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 875 N Randolph St, Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203 www.nmcrs.org or ASPCA, 424 East 92nd Street, New York, New York 10128 www.aspca.org .

Raymond J. Smith

December 15, 1920 - May 31, 2015