Raymond Mathew "Ray" Markee

Raymond "Ray" Mathew Markee, age 56, of Pequot lakes, Minn., formerly of Rochester, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, of complications due to coronary artery disease.

Ray was born in Rochester to Richard and Nancy Markee on Nov.26, 1960. Ray graduated from John Marshal High School in 1979.

Ray married Kelly (Hull) Davidson (Don) in 1983. They had one son, Raymond Kenneth Markee, born March 5, 1983. They later divorced but remained friends.

Ray had spent many of his working years doing refrigeration, maintenance and cooking and prep work at many of Rochester's finest family-owned restaurants.

Ray is survived by his son, Raymond (Amber) Markee of Pequot Lakes; brothers, Randy (Kathy) Markee and Robert Markee, both of Rochester; one sister, Roxanne Markee-Lubinski (Greg) of Plainview and Rick (Rachel) Markee of Rochester; aunts Jane Clark of Rochester, and Beverly (Reuben) Raymond of Arlington, Wash.; nieces and nephews, Paige Markee of Rochester, Nicole (Kelly) Kline of Mesa, Ariz., Tyler (Ali) Markee, Austin Markee, CJ (Michaela) Markee, of Rochester; Adam (Kendra) Markee, Jacob (Nicole) Markee, Hannah Markee of Rochester, and Jessica Porter of Plainview; great-nieces and great-nephews, Raena, Bella and Evan Kline, Aubrey and Luca Markee, Alexis Meyer and Olivia Markee, Nevaeh Hoffman, Emma Baxter, Landon and Jayden Markee, Brandon Rabehl, Haylie Ward and Sean Priebe; many cousins from the Clark, Cunningham and Raymond families; longtime closest friend, John Reynolds of Pearlington, Miss.; and friend, Carla Dwyer of Rochester.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, Richard and Nancy Markee; grandparents, Floyd and Gladys Markee and Ellen and Francis "Fuzz" Greten; and his beloved canine companion, Bella.

Ray will forever be loved and missed by his family and so many friends. He always lived life to the fullest and was always ready for a good time. He will forever be remembered for having such a big heart and his willingness to help others, his love of music and dancing, being a jokester, his secret language, his great big smile and most of all, the unique, infectious and contagious laugh that he had. He has made an unforgettable lasting impression on all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

The funeral service for Raymond will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, with the Rev. Paul Bauch officiating. The visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at a later date. The family would like to invite all to a Celebration of Life honoring Ray starting at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at the Eagles Club in Rochester.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.