Raymond Sebastian Arruda

Raymond Sebastian Arruda, 73, of New Bedford, Mass., and formerly of St. Augustine where he spent many years working as a painter, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep in the morning hours of June 26, 2014.
"Ray" as he was called by most, was preceded in death by his wife of more than 30 years, Judith Gail Arruda, his daughter, Melinda Marie Arruda and his brother, John S. Arruda Jr., of New Bedford. He leaves behind his loving partner, Hilda Dasilva and her family of New Bedford and many relatives including his daughter, Bethany Wessel and son-in-law, Jeffrey Wessel; granddaughter, Sage Alexandra Judith Wessel of St. Augustine, granddaughter, Ashley Marie Arruda of New Bedford; two sisters, Judith S. Arruda and Geraldine S. Carvalho; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Anyone who ever met "Ray" will undoubtedly remember him. His unquenchable thirst for knowledge and the zeal in which he lived and approached life was unmatched. As president of his senior class at Fairhaven High School, he was voted "most likely to succeed" and went on to attend the prestigious Brown University. On a personal level, Raymond Arruda had a way of making all of us feel listened to, loved and special. He believed in "living in the moment," not fretting over the past or worrying about the future.
Raymond Arruda did what he wanted, he said what he felt and lived life on his own terms. His sudden passing is heartbreaking and though his death came much sooner than it should have, he left our world in the same way he viewed living his life and his time spent here … "In the Now." He will be dearly missed.