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Ray Barron, legendary Boston advertising, marketing and public relations executive passed away peacefully on October 15, 2017 at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, Mass. He was 93 years of age. Ray was president and founder of Barron, Hillman and Mellnick for close to four decades. Born in Boston, his given name was Joseph Barisano. He began to use the professional name of Ray Barron at age 16 during his career as a musician and orchestra leader. A gifted and talented drummer and pianist, Ray lived in New York City during the early years of his career where he would meet his future wife, actress Marilyn Mitchell. Ray was a World War II Army Veteran and served his country in the European Theater. He was awarded four battle stars and other citations. Ray was a widely read newspaper and magazine columnist for publications such as the Boston Herald, New England Ad Week, Downbeat Magazine and the Boston Post Gazette. Ray was a marketing instructor for over a decade at the New England School of Art and Design and served as a member of the Schools Board of Directors. He was also a prolific writer, television and radio commentator, lecturer and a mentor to many people. He was the author of several books and had over forty years of guest speaking engagements. He received numerous awards including Northeastern Universitys Speaker of the Year Award. A life-long resident of Nahant, Mass, Ray was an active member in the local community. He was the founder of the Nahant Friends of the Library the Nahant Arts Association, along with many more, and he was a longtime contributor to the Nahant Harbor Review publication. Upon selling his ad agency, Ray was Public Relations Director of the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Boston. Ray was often referred to as a Renaissance man for his creative accomplishments in addition to his success in business. Ray was predeceased by his beloved wife Marilyn of forty-nine years. Ray is survived by his daughter Robin Waters and her husband Paul of Swampscott and daughter Karen Barisano Gordinas of Nahant. His sister Eve Barisano of East Boston, Joan DiCenso and her husband Sal of East Boston and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves his granddaughter Kerry Gordinas Voznyak and her husband Michael. His grandson Kyle J. Waters and great granddaughter Teagan Voznyak. A Funeral Mass was held in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Nahant, followed by burial at Greenlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Nahant Council on Aging 334 Nahant Road Nahant, MA 01908. Arrangements were under the direction of the Solimine Funeral Home 67 Ocean St. Lynn, MA 01902. Directions and guestbook at www.solimine.com.
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Dear Karen,
My sincere condolences to you. I know how well you cared for him in his later years.
What a wonderful life he lived!
Lorrie
October 26, 2017
One of the highlights of Memorial Day for us was posing after the parade for a family picture on the steps of the Nahant Library. We'd always ask Ray to take our picture because we knew he'd get us all laughing with his outrageous quips and antics. He was a gem!
My condolences and best wishes to his family.
Ellie Lowell
October 25, 2017
Ray was one of the most wonderful human beings I ever met.....You will never be forgotten...
October 25, 2017
Just to salute legendary Ray Barron, a terrific, live-wire guy who was one of the iconic figures in the Golden Age of Advertising, the Sixties into the mid-Seventies -- back when the world had a soul and before numbers started writing the ads.
Bob Baker
October 20, 2017
I knew him by name & reputation before I met him at the Nahant July 4 fireworks. From that day on, I became , like most who knew him, mesmerized by his extensive scope of creativity. Condolences to his family,and all who appreciated him.
October 20, 2017
I first met Ray in 1956... Worked with him many, many times over the years writing and voicing radio/tv commercials for his many clients. I call it work, but, what it really was was fun, lots of it. He was a great guy with an offbeat sense of humor that never quit.. His standard line when ending a telephone conversation was always the same..."Back to Sleep.." Loved it.. Rest in peace old friend.
Neil (Tom Evans) MacNevin
October 19, 2017
The Solimine Family and Staff wish to express our sincere sympathy to you. It is our hope that we may be able to make this difficult period more bearable. Please feel free to call on us at anytime, as we are always available for you.
Solimine Funeral Homes
October 19, 2017
A kind, loving, and inspiring man who will forever remain in our hearts. The world was a better place because of you, Ray. We love you.
Steven Sebestyen
October 18, 2017
Dear Barron Family, we are so sorry for your loss. It is our loss also, for he was a force of nature writing in the Post Gazette keeping us updated on everything but especially on the Italian American celebrities and extraordinary everyday people. We will miss that. God bless his kind soul.
Trifone Family
October 18, 2017
Dear Family of Ray,
Ray was a dear friend to me the years I sang at St. Thomas in Nahant.
I always loved reading his articles in the Post Gazette.
He would give me the paper every week after church and tell me dirty and funny jokes and drive his car with no hands on the steering wheel.
He was most supportive of my singing and always kept me laughing. He told me that I sang like Julie Andrews.
He came up to me after every mass with praise. I will never forget that.
I would sing Somewhere my Love to him and he would kiss my hand because it reminded me of his beloved late wife.
He always talked about her and told me stories of his time in the War.
I loved him dearly and will always miss him.
I am blessed to have known him.
I am so glad that I have many memories of Ray wth the books and pictures he gave me. I am going to frame a picture of him in uniform.
Rest in Peace dear friend. I will love you always.
Sincerely,
Melissa Glaister
Melissa Glaister
October 17, 2017
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