Raymond Maloney

1922 - 2025

Raymond Maloney
July 28, 2025
Raymond James Maloney, 102, of Naples, Florida, passed away on July 28, 2025, surrounded by his two daughters and his son. His wife, Cressida (Criss), predeceased him in January of this year.
Ray was born November 12, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York, to his parents Lillian and James Maloney. He attended Andrew Jackson High School in Cambria Heights, New York where he met his future wife, Criss. At that time, he was 18 years old, and Criss was 15. They were married 3 years later on April 17, 1944. During their 81 years together, they raised 3 children and remained close to their 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Ray enlisted in the U.S. Army's Aviation Cadet Program in February 1942, graduated from Flight school in February 1944 and entered combat in June 1944 in the European Theater. He flew 37 combat missions in P-47 Thunderbolts before being shot down while attacking an armored "flak" train in Italy. He was captured and interned in a German POW camp until the end of European hostilities. Ray remained in the Army and Air Force, accumulating 3,800 flying hours in various aircraft prior to his retirement in 1950. At that point he went back to school, ultimately graduating from Yale University in 1954.
Ray went to work for Sikorsky Aircraft in 1954, retiring in 1987 from his position as Air Force Marketing Manager. Ray's various management positions in Sikorsky's Marketing Department gave him the opportunity to travel the world. In 1973, on a temporary assignment to Sikorsky's corporate parent, United Technologies, Ray and Criss lived in Teheran, Iran for a year and a half.
After his retirement, Ray continued his lifelong interest in the history of the Mutiny on the Bounty. He did extensive research and developed illustrated presentations which he used as a guest lecturer on South Pacific cruise ships and numerous radio and television programs. As a historian and sailor, he crewed many times on the Bounty replica made for the Marlon Brando movie.
Ray and Criss were longtime residents of Morningside, in Milford, Connecticut, where their children were raised. They were also lifetime members of the Milford Yacht Club and spent many summer days sailing, first in a 24-Foot Trimaran sailboat, that Ray built in his garage, and later in larger single-hull sailboats. From 1996 to 2016 Ray and Criss maintained residences in Connecticut and Bonita Springs, Florida. In 2016 they moved full-time to Arbor Trace in Naples, Florida. In Florida, Ray continued sailing but this time with remote controlled model sailboats.
Ray and Criss were members of the First United Church of Christ in Milford Connecticut and most recently of the First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs Florida.
With a very full and long life, Ray had many fascinating stories to tell. He will be greatly missed by his entire family and many friends. He is survived by his children, Karen (Edward) Beattie, Michael (Teresa) Maloney, Maura (David) Sliva, and all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
There are no services planned at this time. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. Donations can be made to a charity of your choice.