Raymond Sargent Pandora

Raymond "Pop" Sargent Pandora, 88

PORTLAND - Raymond "Pop" Sargent Pandora, of Portland, peacefully passed away at the Gosnell House on Aug. 22, 2018, surrounded by his adoring family. He was born at the State Street Hospital in Portland on Sept. 9, 1929, the son of Hans Rudolph and Iola Sargent Pandora. Ray was a kind, gentle, genuine man dedicated to his wife and family.

He graduated with honors from South Portland High School where he served as Class President and was a star athlete elected as Captain of the Basketball team and earned selection as an All-Telegram League Second baseman for the 1947 Telegram League champion baseball team. His baseball skills earned him an invitation to try out for the Boston Red Sox organization. He went on to graduate from Northeastern School of Accounting and obtained his B.A. from the University of Southern Maine. He was employed as an accountant by the Portland Pipe Line Corporation for 33 years.

He was honorably discharged after proudly serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Ray was a faithful communicant of the First Congregational Church, South Portland for 67 years. He served as a Head Usher for many years and enjoyed, until recently, meetings with the Eskimo Club.

Ray was a genuine sports buff who immensely enjoyed live sporting events, but had little trouble transitioning to television in his later years. He enjoyed hockey and baseball foremost, but his favorites were high school sports or any games his children and grandchildren played. Ray was also a lifelong golf enthusiast. He was an accomplished golfer holding memberships to the Purpoodock Club, Gorham Country Club (1969 Twilight League Champion), and Spring Valley Country Club where he was the 1973 Club champion.

Ray held a deep fondness of music. His favorites were traditional jazz, musicals, and the music of the 1940s. He was a fan of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and was a member of the International Al Jolson Society, often traveling to their festivals held throughout the country.

He was predeceased by his parents; and his brother, J. Richard. He is survived by his soulmate and the woman he adored, his wife of 53 years, Claudia Browne; his daughter, Stephanie (Peter Wildes) of South Portland, his sons, Eric (Tracey) of Freeport, Neil (Jeffrey Horton) of Branford, Conn., Paul of Detroit, Mich., and Hans (Dina Lindenberg) of Chicago, Ill., his treasured grandchildren Eero and Willem Pandora and Whitney and Anna Louise Wildes; and his many wonderful in-laws; nieces, and nephews.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the angels at The Maine Veteran's Home in Scarborough for their friendship, care, and love. As Ray would often say, "They are top notch!". They'd also like to thank the staff at Gosnell House for the gentle care and comfort provided to him and his family.

Visiting hours will be 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 28, at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 29, at First Congregational Church, 301 Cottage Road, South Portland, with burial to follow at Brooklawn Memorial Cemetery, Portland.

Donations may be made to:
The Maine Veterans' Home Activities
290 US-1
Scarborough, ME, 04074,
where he experienced great joy playing games, watching movies, interacting with horses, and dual-biking among many other activities.