Judge Raymond Joseph Hare

1925 - 2024

Judge Raymond Joseph Hare

September 27, 1925 - July 16, 2024

Oakland Park, Florida - HARE, RAYMOND JOSEPH, of Oakland Park, born September 27, 1925, in Staten Island, NY, died of natural causes on July 16, 2024, in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Raymond spent his childhood in Staten Island and served in the U.S. Army during World War II stationed at the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY, from 1943 to 1946. Upon returning from the service he attended Wagner College and earned his law degree from the University of Miami in 1951.

He practiced law in Ft. Lauderdale until 1960 when he was appointed by then Governor LeRoy Collins to the Court of Record, Broward County, Florida. In 1973 he was elected to the Circuit Court, 17th Judicial Circuit where he served with great integrity and honesty in the civil, criminal and probate divisions of the court. He was re-elected every six years thereafter without opposition, and retired on December 31,1990. He then served as a Senior Judge of the Circuit Court, as a Special Master, and as a mediator with Mediation, Inc. in Ft. Lauderdale. He was a member of the American Bar Association, The Florida Bar and the Broward County Bar Association.

Raymond loved to ski and play golf and most other athletic endeavors, especially loving to watch the University of Miami Hurricanes and Miami Dolphins in the old Orange Bowl with his friends and family. In his judicial career he tried hundreds of cases, jury and non-jury, in the civil, criminal and probate divisions of the court as well as presiding over many adoptions, guardianships, and mental health cases.

He devoted his life to the legal profession. His kindness, spirit, courage, and tenacity will never be forgotten. May God rest his soul and accept him into heaven.

Judge Hare was predeceased by his father James, his mother Grace, and brothers James, Donald, and John. He leaves behind his longtime friend and companion Virginia Buckley of Tampa, Florida, his two children Melissa Van Doren of Landrum, South Carolina and Mel Rue Hare of Moab, Utah, and his sister Grace of Hillsboro Beach, Florida, along with many nieces and nephews.

Services and interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Condolences may be sent to melhare66@gmail.com.