RAY BARRON

BARRON, Ray 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 School's 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 University's 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 will be held on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Nahant. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visitation at St. Thomas Aquinas Church from 11:00am-12:00pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Nahant Council on Aging, 334 Nahant Road, Nahant, MA 01908. Arrangements are under the direction of the Solimine Funeral Home, 67 Ocean St., LYNN, MA 01902. Directions and guestbook at www.solimine.com