Raymond Aloysius Vaughan

Raymond Aloysius Vaughan, age 93, of Upper Saint Clair, PA, recently of the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown, PA, passed away on November 3, 2025.

Born on June 21, 1932, he was the son of the late Charles and Stella (Kwasniewski) Vaughan, and is preceded in passing by 4 of his 5 siblings and two wives (Margot and Geraldine). He was the dedicated father of Bob (Diana), Dan (Dilcia), and Maureen (Tim Traylor); grandfather of Adriana, Ryan, and Xavier; and dear brother to Will, Chuck, Pat, LaVerne, and Jim. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, some of whom were inducted into his Clean Platter club.

Ray was very active socially, and could be relied upon to help family, friends, neighbors, and even casual acquaintances in any and every way possible; his broad and deep wisdom was manifest in the assistance he provided. His unending patience and charm made him welcome wherever he went and, though he was loath to impose upon others, his home was always open to visitors. Unabashedly stoic and unrelentingly kind, he was a model member of the Silent Generation.

After trade school, Ray worked for many years as a plumber, served as President of Plumbers Local Union 27 for several terms, then was Director and an instructor at the Pipe Trades Training Center for apprentice and journeyman plumbers. He later accepted greater responsibility as Director of Apprenticeship and Training for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, he made time to attend and graduate from the University of Pittsburgh.

He was a proud veteran, having served over 42 years in the Air Force and Navy, both active and reserve, enlisted and commissioned. Only after making it to Master Chief Petty Officer did he accept a commission and rise to Chief Warrant Officer 4. He was a 33 rd degree Mason and a member of several Masonic groups, including Knights Templar and Sojourners. During his waning years, as a member of the Masonic Pin Team, he visited dozens of veterans in hospice care to assure them that their service and sacrifices were remembered and appreciated.

Ray will be mourned by all who knew or interacted with him. All services will be private; donations to groups that assist veterans would be appreciated and very appropriate.