Ray E. Larson

Ray Elton Larson, 99, of Attleboro, MA died Monday, February 9, in Milford, MA after a brief illness. He was born on November 15, 1926 in Attleboro to Carl G. Larson and Lillian Nelson Larson. Ray lived on the same street in Attleboro for the vast majority of his life, except for his time in college and during his service in the US Navy. He graduated from Attleboro high school in 1944 then attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he studied Mechanical Engineering. His education was interrupted after 2 semesters when he was drafted into the Navy. Following Boot Camp at Great Lakes Naval he served on the USS Randolph as a radar technician. After his discharge from the Navy in 1946 Ray returned to M.I.T., completing his degree in 1949.

Following college Ray returned to Attleboro and began his career at Larson Tool and Stamping, which was founded in 1920 by his grandfather Nils Larson, his father Carl Larson, and C.W. Cederberg. Ray worked at Larson Tool until his retirement in 1996.

Ray was active in his church and belonged to a young adult social group that interacted with similar groups in the greater Boston area. On a weekend getaway one winter Ray met Muriel Soutter of Lowell, and was charmed by her outgoing personality. They dated and eventually married on July 2, 1955 in Lowell, MA, then settled in Attleboro and lived in the house that Ray had designed for them. Ray and Muriel had a long, happy marriage until her passing on June 19, 2013.

Ray had a lot of interests and was active in many of them until his passing. He was a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Attleboro, of which his grandparents were founding members, and served on various boards there until recently. He was an active member of Rotary International. He belonged to the Angle Tree Stone Rod and Gun Club, and served on the board of the Woodlawn-North Purchase Cemeteries Association. Ray liked sports and played in a weekly golf league for many years. He also bowled in a bowling league when he was younger. He enjoyed watching the Red Sox, Patriots, and Bruins. Ray liked to hunt and fish, taking annual trips to Mazatlan, Mexico, Anticosti Island in Canada, and several trips to Wyoming and Montana.

When Ray was a boy his parents acquired waterfront property in Mattapoisett, MA and Ray spent every summer there for the rest of his life. He wasn't much of a swimmer but he loved boats. He spent time sailing with his cousins, fishing, and going out on the family boat, "J.B." Later he and Muriel purchased the Fling, then later the Sand Dollar, and their weekends were filled with trips around Buzzard's Bay and the islands. He was happy when the boat was full of his children and grandchildren. When he and Muriel decided to give up boat ownership Ray looked to his son Alan to fill that void. Alan and his wife Meredith happily agreed to continue the boating legacy and often included Ray and Muriel on their boat "Frihet". Ray even managed to get out for a couple of short rides on Frihet last summer at the age of 98.

Ray was a humble man. He lived conservatively and shared generously. He supported causes that he felt were doing good works to help people. He valued education, and for many years he quietly provided tuition assistance to numerous college and seminary students.

Ray was preceded in death by his beloved wife Muriel. He is survived by his 3 children: Alan (Meredith) of Rehoboth, MA; Eric (Carolyn) of Stratham, NH; Lois Larson of Sutton, MA; 8 grandchildren: Carl of Bluffton, SC; Scott (Elizabeth) of Attleboro, MA; Emily Larson of Rehoboth, MA; Nathan (Sarah Joy) of Concord, NH; Katelynn Larson (Alex) of Madison, WI; Brita Guirguis (Andrew) of New Haven, CT; Anna LaFlamme (Jake) of Beverly, MA; Mia Larson of Sutton, MA; and 8 great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held on Saturday, February 14 at 11:00 am, at Beacon Covenant Church, 841 N. Main St. Attleboro, MA, with burial immediately afterward at North Purchase Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Beacon Covenant Church or a charity of your choice.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, Attleboro.