RAYMOND M. MITCHELL

RAYMOND M. MITCHELL, age 81. Beloved husband of 58 years to Pat (nee French); father of Peter (Devon), Sean (Allison), Daniel (Roberta), Becky Riebe (Mike), Maura Strack (Greg), Eddie and Ryan (Kristin); grandfather of Brennan, McKenna, McKailey, Camden, Jessica Boyes (Josh), Cara, Lily, Ella, Collin, Spencer, Hannah, Michael, Rowan and Griffin; brother of Ben and Carol Bechemer; all friends were considered family.

Ray Mitchell was born on September 26th, 1940, in Cleveland where his father owned a bar. He was a classical pianist. In 1956, his family moved to Lafayette, south of Medina. There, he took the Greyhound bus every day back and forth to St. Ignatius, attending chapel every morning, before graduating in 1958. Traveling back and forth from Medina to St. Ignatius limited his football career to just his junior and senior years. He was recruited by Coach Wirtz after witnessing Ray kick footballs over the gymnasium. He later attended John Carrol and Fenn College before enlisting in the Air Force in 1961. He was a Fuel Mechanic and worked on B-58s and the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker. During the Cuban Crisis, he flew directly from Peru, Indiana to Morón Air Force Base in Seville, Spain where he lived and worked for six weeks. He met Pat in July 1960 and dated until they married on her birthday, November 16th, 1963. They wed at Saint Colman. He went back to school for horticulture after being honorably discharged from the service. He could always impress you with his ability to discuss every plant by its Latin name. By 1969, Ray already had four children and started his own successful landscaping business. This business was originally operated out of a barn in Strongsville—later purchasing a larger property in Valley City. After many years, Ray moved the business to a 30-acre farm in Columbia Station. Here the children played, learned to drive, rode dirt bikes, roamed in the woods, camped, and fished on the Rocky River.

American Landscaping was a business built on friendships and trust, which extended to personalities across the spectrum. He was more than an understanding boss; he was always willing to lend a helping hand. His employees were known as "The Guys,” who were truly considered a part of the family. He would describe them many ways. Ultimately, it was an incredibly fun group of friends who always had another friend looking to join his family. After Ray retired, he loved the golf trips to Kidron for reunions with The Guys he loved. His friendships extended beyond his love and passion for landscaping. 

Beginning his family in their first home on Cook Ave, they later built and moved to Strongsville in 1973. By 1977, Ray and Pat were raising seven children. It was very important for Ray to provide a Catholic education to his children. He sent them to Incarnate Word Academy, St. Adalbert, St. Joseph Academy, St. Edward High School, St. Ignatius High School, Marquette University, University of Notre Dame, and more. Ray was an avid Notre Dame fan before he had kids. He and Pat would go to games courtesy of Brother Gonzaga, sitting in the Student Section every year. Later, taking all the children with him to games. Ray made sure his children traveled the world with him and the whole family. Trips to Ireland, Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, and across the United States were not unusual in his family.  Often getting odd looks or comments walking through an airport or hotel lobby with a family of nine. He really enjoyed it when people saw everyone at once and the words “you’re crazy” were used to describe him. He was the leader of the pack. 

Ray was an avid Cleveland sports fan, but a bigger fan of all his children's sports and activities. He always did everything he could to watch the children participate, everywhere and anywhere.

After retirement Ray and Pat attended many of their 14 grandchildren’s activities and events from birthdays, recitals, T-Ball, wrestling, basketball, swimming, art shows, hockey, cross country, soccer, lacrosse, football, swimming, fencing, horseback riding, ballet, volleyball, etc. He always wanted to be a part of everyone’s life. He enjoyed being part of something special with his family.

No matter where he found himself, he always seemed to know someone and make new friends along the way. Even by means of striking up a random conversation about arborvitaes, he’d find ways of including others as no one is ever truly a stranger.

Ray taught all his children to introduce yourself, look people in the eye, give everyone a strong handshake, and if you want something, don’t be afraid to open your mouth and ask. Leading by example was just part of his lifestyle; it was something all his children took to heart. The family motto is “Stick together”.

On November 16th, 2021, Pat and Ray celebrated their 58th Anniversary. He was an amazing husband, father, and friend. 

Passed away January 20, 2022. Funeral Mass Friday, January 28, St. Adalbert Church (66 Adalbert St., Berea) at 10:00 A.M. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may call at CHAMBERS FUNERAL HOME of NORTH OLMSTED, 29150 LORAIN RD. AT STEARNS, THURSDAY 3-7 P.M. The family would like to thank the staff at Ames Family Hospice, 30080 Hospice Way, Westlake, OH 44145 for their compassionate care and requests in lieu of flowers contributions to the hospice.