Raymond F. Kershaw Sr.

Raymond F. Kershaw, Sr., 88, died on Saturday, May 24, 2025, surrounded by his family at Concord Hospital, NH. Ray was born and raised in Rhode Island and retired to Punta Gorda, FL and Sunapee, NH to be with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ray loved his family and was predeceased by his lovely wife Rose Ann (Ruggieri) Kershaw who he was married to for 58 years. He grew up in Rhode Island where his brother Douglas still resides and was predeceased by his sister Janeth (Kershaw) Brewster. He had three children, Marcia Whitehead (Steve), Donna Hamelton (Woody), Raymond, Jr aka Butch (Carolyn) who all live in New Hampshire. Affectionately known as "Grandfather" he was close to his four grandchildren, Matthew (Ashley), Courtney (Jake), Joshua and Zac (Emilie) and doted on his five great-grandchildren, Brayden, Gracelyn, Asher, Scotti and Barrett. He was so looking forward to meeting Baby K, soon to be the newest member of our family.
Ray was the biggest traveling NH high-school football fan, he religiously followed his son Raym's teams throughout his coaching career. Ray was very close to Rose Ann's brother Charlie Ruggieri (Lucy) of Warwick, RI. He was known as Uncle Ray to numerous nieces and nephews who reside across the United States and Italy.
He worked his entire career for New England Telephone and was a lifelong member of the Masonic community. His impressive life journey with the Masons includes being a Past Master of Manchester Lodge No. 12 F&AM, Coventry; Honorary member of Charity Lodge and Franklin Lodge; member of Adelphi Lodge No. 33; member of Landmark Chapter, now Scituate Chapter Royal Arch Masons; Scottish Rite Valley of Providence and the Rhode Island Shriners; Past Grand Marshall of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, F&AM; member of Swords of Bunker Hill Gaspee Order 99 and Providence Court 71 Royal Order of Jesters. He was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers, Masonic Veterans Association of RI and Tall Cedars of Lebanon Massasoit Forrest 91. In New Hampshire he was associated with the Jesters and the NH Shriners, and he was a member of King Solomon Lodge No. 14, Elkins NH.
His Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday May 31, 2025 at 10 a.m. in the Carpenter – Jenks Funeral Home, 659 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick. Visitation will be held Friday, May 30, 2025, from 4 to 7 PM and will include a Masonic Service at 6:30 PM. The burial will be in Pawtuxet Memorial Cemetery, Warwick, RI.
In lieu of flowers donations in Raymond's memory can be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Road, Tampa, FL 33607.