Raymond S. Strack

PERU, N.Y. — Raymond S. Strack, 84, of Ausable Beach Road, Peru, N.Y., passed away Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh. He was born in Redford, N.Y., July 12, 1925, the son of Shirley E. and Alma (Bell) Strack.

Ray was a veteran of World War II, serving his country as a Marine in the Pacific Theater. After returning from the war, he began working for the Teamsters Local 648, now Teamsters Local 687, Watertown; he began working as a truck driver and later moved on as a business agent, retiring after 38 years of service. He had many accomplishments, including driving 2 million miles for teamsters and was a member of the Eastern Conference Teamsters and joint council in Utica, N.Y. Ray enjoyed racing and drove in the early 1950s at Airborne Speedway. Later he owned a race car driven by Ernie Reid. He also enjoyed bowling, camping, traveling, boating and water skiing. He was a member of the American Legion Post 20 in Plattsburgh and the B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge 621 in Plattsburgh. Ray's greatest joy was spending winters in Florida, summers at his home on Lake Champlain, playing cards and being with family and friends.

Ray was predeceased by his parents; his first wife, Ruth Strack; two sons, Raymond "Butch" and Ronald A. Strack; a daughter, Linda Ann Beaman; a brother, Clarence Strack; a son-in-law, Heinz Becksvoort; and a grandson, Dean Strack.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Strack, whom he married July 12, 1993; a son, Barton Strack and his wife Rhonda of Morrisonville, N.Y.; four daughters, Lisa Louise Harmon and her husband Ronald of California, Karen Becksvoort of West Virginia, Lori Clark and her husband John of Peru, N.Y., and Judith Defayette and her husband Keith of Plattsburgh, N.Y.; 15 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Myrtle Mero of Florida and Virginia and Madelyn Bushey of Elmira, N.Y.; a brother, Alvin Strack and his wife Margaret of Florida; and a sister-in-law, Edith Strack of Massachusetts.

Calling hours will be held Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A funeral service will be held Monday, Dec. 7, 2009, at 11 a.m. in the Brown Funeral Home Chapel.

Donations in Ray's memory may be made to the FitzPatrick Cancer Center at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901, 518-561-3980.

Online condolences and memorial candles may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.