RAYMOND A. DEFOREST

Raymond A. DeForest of New City passed away peacefully at home Friday, February 6, 2009 with his family by his side. Raymond was born June 24, 1930 to Ada (Heddy) and Raymond A. DeForest in White Plains, NY. He was raised in White Plains where he attended school and graduated from White Plains High School. In 1954, he graduated from Alfred University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ceramic Engineering. He then served in the United States Army for two years as a Specialist 3rd Class in Communications in Korea. After receiving an honorable discharge from the United States Army, he was employed with Secon Metals. He was Chief Engineer and Plant Manager before he became Vice President. It was at Secon Metals where he pioneered the development of Ceramic Insulated Wire, which was later granted a United States Patent and bears his name as co-inventor. Raymond loved photography and owned and operated a camera shop in White Plains, NY for thirteen years. He was then employed by the Town of Clarkstown for 10 years and retired in 2002. He married his wife, Alice Keery, August 22, 1958 and shared fifty years of happiness with her. He was an avid gardener and was at his happiest to be at home spending time with his family. Raymond is survived by his devoted wife Alice and their seven children and families, William DeForest and his wife Brenda (Rev. Mr. Matthew and Cathy) Cheryl Sites, and her husband Donald (Dylan, Dustin), Raymond DeForest III, (Raymond, Elena) Cynthia Morehead and her husband James, (Kelly, Erin, Jimmy, Sean, Tricia and her husband James and their son John) Lee DeForest, Lynne DeForest and Debra (Jack) and Mary Maloney and her husband James (Tara, Megan). He is also survived by his sister-in-law, two brothers-in-law, his nephew John Gayle and many other nieces and nephews. Raymond was predeceased in death by his sisters June Gayle, and Eunice Anderson and his grandson Daniel Sites. Family will receive friends on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Higgins Funeral Home, New City, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday at 10 AM at St. Augustine's Church, New City, NY. Burial will follow in St. Anthony's Cemetery, Nanuet, NY. MICHAEL J. HIGGINS FUNERAL HOME 321 S. Main St. New City, NY (845) 634-6110