- Date Of Birth: August 30, 1947
- Date Of Death: December 20, 2018
- State: Massachusetts
Ray C. Vernon of South Plymouth, MA died peacefully at his home on December 20, 2018, with his loving family close at hand. He was 71. Ray was born on August 30, 1947 in Gorey, Co. Wexford, Ireland, the youngest of eight children of the late Herbert “Bertie” and Margaret “Netta” (Morrissey) Vernon. His beloved brothers John and James and sisters Anne and Pat also predeceased him. Sent to boarding school from the age of eight, Ray grew up strongly independent, with an adventurous spirit, a passion for history, and a very active imagination. He graduated from secondary school at Gormanston College in 1964 and took himself to London, where he spent a year tending bar, cleaning houses, laying railroad ties and doing other random jobs. He then returned to Ireland and attended University College, Cork, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor’s in accountancy and economics. His trip to America that summer led to one of his life’s highlights: a brief stint as a security guard at Woodstock. Ray reveled in the ‘60s! He spent the next six years in London as an accountant for Gulf Oil. In 1975 he crossed the pond for good, settling in Santa Monica, CA, and began his U.S. corporate career with Mattel in a three-piece suit, with shoulder-length hair and a full beard. He earned his MBA in International Finance from Pepperdine University in 1979 and traveled the world extensively for Mattel until 1986, when he followed his heart to the east coast. He continued in the toy industry until becoming a realtor in 2005. Ray loved his second career – enjoyed his clients, their kids, their kids’ kids, and their pets – and easily earned the self-appointed title “Your Friendly Neighborhood Realtor.” In 2017 a lifelong dream became reality when his novel, Green September, was published. Ray is survived by his best friend and wife of 31 years, Cindy, and by her children, Carrie Grammas (Dennis) of Waccabuc, NY, and Scott Asiel (Maureen) of Westport, CT, whom he forever thought of and loved as his own. He was “Popsy” to five wonderful grandchildren: Alexandria and Christina Grammas, and Kathryn, Emma, and Ryan Asiel, who often brought out his silly side and who gave him immense joy. Also surviving him are his sister, Betty Foster, and brothers Bill and Rob, all of Ireland, his sister-in-law Cepta Vernon, of Milford, MA, and his honorary granddaughter, Cait Foster, of New York, NY. Family and friends are invited to gather to remember Ray on Saturday, January 12, from 4 to 7 pm at Pinehills Golf Club, Ryder Cup Room. Ray’s fondest wish was that every one of us who could, would try to make a difference in the life of an at-risk or forgotten child.
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