Raymond E. Halacy

Halacy, Raymond E. NAGS HEAD, N.C. Raymond E. Halacy, 81, of Nags Head, died peacefully on November 15, 2007. He was born on November 11, 1926 in Burlington, Vt. to parents Anita Shepard Halacy and William Alexander Halacy. Ray grew up in Cohoes, N.Y. and then Rensselaer, N.Y. where he attended St. John's Academy until the outbreak of World War II when he felt called to duty. He honorably served his country in the United States Navy until the end of the war as part of a destroyer escort crew. After the war, Ray received his GED and worked for a short time for the New York Central Railroad. Following that, he went to school in New York City to study commercial art. Ray traveled west and worked at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, Calif. as an artist and he created some of the cells for the Disney animated picture "Peter Pan." When he left Disney, he traveled throughout the United States and the world, capturing as much of its beauty as he could manage. As his love for art grew, he expanded his interests to many mediums and subjects. He created amazing works with pen and ink, charcoal, oil paints, water colors, and chalk. And though he wouldn't hesitate to draw a picture of anything that was asked of him, his favorite was the portrait. He loved drawing faces, especially women and children. He loved the innocence and honesty in a child's face. Ray lived for many years in New Hope, Pa. before moving to the outer banks of N.C. In New Hope, he added yet another talent to his repertoire. He produced hand carved, painted, and gold leafed signs for many businesses and individuals. Ray left New Hope for Kill Devil Hills, N.C. where he continued to work for as long as he was able. Ray loved life, golf, and women in no particular order. He was a charmer to the end and the women always loved his stories and his chivalrous ways. He will be greatly missed by everyone, man or woman, who knew him. Ray is survived by his sister, Virginia Farinacci (Guilderland, N.Y.); son, Gregg Halacy (San Juan, Puerto Rico); nieces Deborah Halacy (Defreestville, N.Y.), Donna Stoutamire (Davidson, N.C.), Virginia DeMasi (Chapel Hill, N.C.), and Susan Farinacci (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.); nephews, Nick Farinacci (Albany, N.Y.), Mark Halacy (Palm Springs, Calif.), William Halacy (Rensselaer), and Tony Smith (Waterford, N.Y.); granddaughter, Isabella Halacy (San Juan, Puerto Rico); and many grand nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, John Halacy and Donald Halacy and his sister, Kathleen Halacy. A memorial Mass in celebration of Ray's life is pending and will be announced at a later date. He will be interred with his family in St. Agnes Cemetery. Cohoes, N.Y. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc., is assisting the family. Condolances may be sent to the family via the on-line register at gallopfuneralservices.com