Raymond Edward Dillon Sr.

1929 - 2021

Raymond Edward Dillon Sr.

April 20, 1929 - January 9, 2021

Raymond Edward Dillon Sr. passed away quietly on Saturday morning, January 9th, 2021. He was born on April 20, 1929 in New York City and grew up with an extended family of Dillons, including his sister Helen and brother Marty who predeceased him, and his brother Edward who lives in Florida.

Ray (as he was known) worked for CBS, Inc. in New York City for thirty-five years and in 1954 he married his co-worker, Marie Caputo. They moved to New City, New York where they raised six children; Arlene Dillon (Dan Wexler), Debbie (Sean) McGuire, Carol (Bruce) Kissal, Lisa (Chris) Sullivan, Raymond Jr. (Dominick Prudenti) and Paul (Cindy), and enjoyed an active life in the local community.

Ray commuted to New York City every day, taking the train from Tarrytown, New York to Grand Central Station, leaving him just enough time for some very competitive bridge games en route. He came home every evening to enjoy a family meal with Marie and all his children, laughing, joking and even talking politics from time to time.

Every summer Ray would take the family to Westhampton Beach, Long Island for a few weeks of body surfing the Atlantic, clamming in the bay, and watching his kids play with new friends on the beach, who all became lifelong admirers of him. Right before he turned 50 years old, Ray ran the New York City Marathon in just over four hours, an accomplishment which always made him proud.

After his retirement from CBS, Ray and his son Raymond Jr. joined Dominick Prudenti and opened the "Upper Crust" Deli in Highland Mills, New York. Ray experienced great joy cooking and serving local customers, and learning new techniques that would augment his already fine culinary skills.

Eventually Ray traveled south to Sunset Beach, North Carolina where he and Marie settled, enjoying 25 years of entertaining friends, playing golf and walking the beautiful beach. It didn't take long before the Dillon children and grandchildren began arriving as often as they could to spend time with Grandma and Papa.

Ray had 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren who loved listening to his stories of growing up on the streets of New York, challenging him to a game of cribbage, and partaking in some amazing "Pop" meals. He was especially proud of his breakfasts - eggs to order - and, of course his perfect pasta with broccoli rabe, and his incomparable marinara sauces (the best we ever had)!

Ray was predeceased last March by his wife of 63 years, Marie. From his entire family, we just want to say how much you all helped light up our lives with your stories about, and love for our Dad. He was one of a kind, and through "hell or high water" he kept his family together. We love you Daddy!

A family celebration of Ray's life will be at a future date. If you would like to donate in memory of Ray, please reach out to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at https://StJude.org , or the Alzheimer's Foundation at https://alzfdn.org.