David J. Raynor

1965 - 2018

Raynor, David J.
David James Raynor, beloved father, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend passed away suddenly on March 7 at the age of 52 near his home in Crownsville, MD. Dave was born in New Haven and grew up in the Deerfield Hills subdivision of North Branford. As a boy he climbed trees, played with his dogs Shadow and Scooter, rode bikes, skated, sled, fought, hiked, fished, explored, built forts, played whiffle ball, tag, hide and go seek and baseball with his brother, sister and all the kids in the neighborhood he grew to love. He went on to Xavier High School where he excelled in track and field events before graduating in 1983. While furthering his education at Southern Connecticut State University he joined the Marine Corp and upon graduation was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was stationed at Quantico, Camp Pendleton and Twenty-Nine Palms. At the start of hostilities in Iraq his unit was one of the first to respond to Saddam Hussein's military forces during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Dave's natural inclination to jump into action regardless of hazards served him well in combat and he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor when taking direct action against enemy armored vehicles using only a shoulder fired weapon. His actions saved the lives of the men under his command but he rarely talked about it even to those closest to him. After the first Gulf war he worked numerous full-time jobs while retaining his commission in the Marine Corp Reserve in East Haven and later Providence. He left the Corps as a Captain when he graduated the FBI academy at Quantico as a Special Agent in 1996. For many years he was part of a special surveillance unit that tracked suspects from ground vehicles and aircraft. While in this role he logged thousands of hours as a Bureau pilot at the San Jose field office and later the Baltimore field office. Aside from the family he grew up with in Connecticut Dave had two abiding loves in his life, his daughter Catherine and his dog Cassie. Those of us lucky enough to known him remember a person teaming with life, energy, knowledge, morals, patriotism and love for the community he grew up in. He will be sorely missed notwithstanding the terrible tragedy that ended his life. Dave leaves behind his daughter Catherine Raynor, his stepson Dylan Fisher, his father, Robert Raynor, his stepmother Linzie Raynor, his brother Dan Raynor, his sister Eileen Raynor Meehan, his brother in-law Hugh Meehan, his nephews, Patrick Raynor, Eric Raynor, Sean Meehan, Ryan Meehan and Jack Meehan, his Nieces Danielle (Raynor) Lee and Madison Raynor, his Uncle Michael Duffy, his Aunt Carrol Duffy and numerous cousins. Dave was preceded in death by his mother, the late Patricia Raynor, his Uncles the late Paul Raynor and and the late James Duffy his Aunts the late Patricia Duffy and the late Claire Raynor. Family and friends may visit the Keenan Funeral Home, 330 Notch Hill Rd. North Branford CT. Tuesday March 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will start at 6:30 p.m. followed by full military honors. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Catherine Raynor Education Fund, 12501 Oakland Hills Dr., DeWitt, MI 48820. To leave an on line tribute or condolence please visit
www.keenanfuneralhome.com