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BORN

1924

DIED

2019

FUNERAL HOME

Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel - Worcester

370 Plantation Street

Worcester, Massachusetts

Ralph Raymond Obituary

Ralph A. Raymond, 94

Worcester - Ralph A Raymond, 94 years, passed away peacefully April 23rd, 2019, in his favorite place of all; home. He was surrounded by loving family as well as his soulmate and rock Mary Irene, to whom he shared 70 wonderful married years. Ralph felt fortunate and grateful being able to travel the globe while coaching the sport he loved; softball. Coaching Team USA Softball to Gold in the 1996 & 2000 Olympics, was one of his greatest life moments but he would proudly tell anyone his "Family" provided more happiness than any other of his lifetime achievements.

Ralph was the son of Antonio and Lydia (Rondeau) Raymond. He grew up on the east side of Worcester in the Shrewsbury St. neighborhood. He loved being "Italian," with all that it entails, from the huge extended family gatherings, homemade food, game playing, and singing, to his firm belief in God and strong Catholic faith. Praying with his players was a pre-game ritual. He brought many a team to Sunday mass while on the road and felt proud filing into a church with his own 7 kids as well as his softball players, who were his "family," away from home. He was a simple man who never forgot who he was and where he came from.

Ralph saw sports as an opportunity and chance to excel in the game of life. "If deserving, accolades will come your way… quiet thunder," he'd say. He coached, to win with a combination of old school rules and an allegiance to "team." He was dedicated to the development of lifelong lasting relationships that came from loyalty to your team . He stayed involved coaching until he was 94 yo. never deviating from his standards.

In his earlier years, Ralph was a 1943 graduate of Commerce High School where he excelled in sports. He was the Team Captain for baseball, football and basketball and known to run track when he could fit it in. Ralph joined the U.S. Army serving his country proudly during World War II as part of the campaigns of the Rhineland and Central Europe. He was discharged as Sergeant in 1946. He entered the University of Miami where he earned a BA in education while he captained the baseball team and was later inducted into the hurricanes Hall of Fame. Upon graduating, Ralph returned home and in 1949, married the "Love of his Life" Mary I. Morello. "She made me a picnic lunch at East Park and the rest is history" he'd say. The couple shared in their mutual dedication to family with a devotion to one another no matter what.

Ralph went on to earn his master's degree in education from Worcester State College. He initially worked at Wyman Gordon but in 1966 he became a Physical Education Teacher at Doherty H.S. in Worcester. He coached baseball, football, and later softball while at Doherty. A very special love and place remained a constant in his heart for many of his H.S student athletes. The football and baseball team earned several Championship titles over the 18 years he was there, before retiring in 1984.

Ralph then began a period in his life that started as a dream. During his summers off from teaching he had been coaching the Raybestos Brakettes an ASA travel team of elite softball players from across the United States. He had racked up many records and was one of the winningest coaches in sports history. He knew if softball were to become an Olympic event someday, he would be prepared and ready to take the helm as head coach. His goal came to fruition when he was named the 1st ever Team USA Head Softball Coach for the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, each time winning gold. He was elated to bring these honors home to Worcester. The Olympic team went on to win in the Pan Am Games, in addition to seven world tournament gold medals and twenty six national tournament titles. He has been honored for his many wins around the World. He has been inducted into nine Hall of Fames including the University of Miami, USA Olympic Hall of Fame, ASA Softball, International Softball, Massachusetts Football Coaches, City of Worcester Athletic, and the Sons of Italy Lodge 168, Athletic Halls of Fame.

Ralph is survived by his loving wife Mary: his seven children, Michael A. Raymond and wife Mary of West Boylston, Ralph A. (Bud) Raymond, Jr. and partner Rhonda Needleman of Martha's Vineyard, John J. Raymond and wife Antoinette of Falmouth, Robert Raymond and wife Dana of Venice, California, Mary Ann Baronoski and husband Richard of North Brookfield, Kathy Ermilio and husband Francis (Bud) of Shrewsbury, Patricia Cannon and husband Michael of Worcester; thirteen grandchildren, Christina, Lisa, Tim, Michael & Gina Raymond, Jenna, Matt, & Julie Baronoski, Lydia, Alina, Patrice & Frank Ermilio, James Cannon, two great granddaughters Emma and Sarah Follows. Ralph took immense pleasure in passing along family traditions to each grandchild, he reveled in all their life achievements and loved watching their sporting events. Ralph also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends from around the world.

He was a member of Our Lady of Providence Parish and St Bernard Church, the Eastside Post 201 American Legion, Massachusetts Teachers Association and National Education Association.

The family would also like to express their sincere thanks to the staff at the JHC Hospice for their kind, compassionate, and professional care.

Friends and relatives are invited to gather with family for calling hours Sunday, April 28th from 3 pm to 7 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. His funeral will be celebrated Monday April 29th from the funeral home with a procession to St Bernard's Church, 228 Lincoln Street where his Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 am. Burial with military honors will follow in St John Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial remembrances in his name to the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester.

www.mercadantefuneral.com

Published by Worcester Telegram & Gazette from Apr. 23 to Apr. 28, 2019.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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Memories and Condolences
for Ralph Raymond

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My condolences to Aunt Mary and all my cousins. Since I lived nearby, attended school and essentially grew up with my Raymond relatives, all of them have always held a special place in my heart. Uncle Ralph, you had a rich and wonderful life. God bless.

Jack Limoli

Family

April 29, 2019

Go well ny talented and humble mentor Paul Joseph

Friend

April 29, 2019

Grateful to play for Ralph and for the impact he had on my life. My love and deepest sympathy to Mary and the family.

Kathy Arendsen

April 28, 2019

John Geatan

Friend

April 28, 2019

We send our sympathy to the Raymond family. What an incredible man he was, and how fortunate you all were to have him for such a long time! May memories comfort you at this difficult time. Martha and Bob Berthiaume

Martha Berthiaume

April 28, 2019

Dear Kathy, please accept my condolences on the passing of your beloved father. I ask God to send His comfort, consolation and peace to you and your family.
Love,
Marie Fusaro Davis

Marie Fusaro Davis

April 28, 2019

My sincere condolences to the Raymond family. I was blessed to have played under the tutelage of Coach Raymond at Doherty High. Coach not only made me a better athlete, he made me a better man. He taught me humility, respect for the game and always giving 100%. Life lessons I have passed on to my boys. His greatness is not only measured by his wins, championships and gold medals but more importantly by the impact he had on the lives of all he touched. God's speed to heaven Coach, it was an honor to be small part of an exemplary life. Jeff Garabedian

Jeff Garabedian

April 28, 2019

To The Raymond Family,

As a sports fan and former athlete at St John's it was my pleasure to know Ralph. my deepest sympathies to the entire family. In my prayers.

He was what a coach should strive to be in his passion for the games, but more importantly, to his relationships and caring for his players he always had.

Rest in peace!!
Tom Kelley

April 28, 2019

Mr. Raymond (as I called him as a student at Doherty High in the late 1970s) was a good man. I visited him regularly in his office where we would talk about life and sports (he was particularly supportive of me as a basketball player, and, because I wrote poetry, liked to call me Emily Dickinson). He was an important mentor to me, and I was grateful for his patience and wisdom. I remember he told me about his summer coaching for Raybestos Brakettes, so I was happy when he was named Team USA Head Softball Coach for the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games and brought home the gold. So many triumphs for himit was heartwarming to read about his life and achievements. My condolences to his family and friends.

Marilyn Annucci

Student

April 27, 2019

Mary and the entire Raymond family my deepest sympathy. I am very saddened to hear of Ralph's passing. I know how important and how much he loved his family. No words can ease your sadness right now. His leadership, competitiveness and love for the game of softball will live on in all of those he touched.

Doe

April 27, 2019

I had the privilege of playing against teams Ralph coached many times. Obviously they were extremely talented and successful. Also happy to have been on the coaching staff for two USA events where Ralph was head coach. Great experience and my thoughts and condolences go out to Mary and his entire family and group of friends and former players. RIP Ralph Raymond.

Carol Spanks

April 27, 2019

Rest in peace coach...... You were one of the best

Joe Brackett

Student

April 27, 2019

Dear Buddy, so sorry for your loss. May peace and happiness fill your lives with the memories of your Dad.

Donald Gannon

Friend

April 27, 2019

Sorry for your loss. Truly an iconic figure.

Howard Bottomly

April 27, 2019

Mark Loehrs

April 26, 2019

My deepest sympathy .

Elaine DonFrancisco

Friend

April 26, 2019

Sorry to hear of the passing of Coach Raymond. I played for Coach at East Side Post 201 in 1960. Great coach, great person, great accomplishments during his life.

Johnny B

April 26, 2019

Tricia, Kathy and all the Raymond family,
My dad thought the world of your dad from their WG days and we were always so proud of him and his accomplishments. So glad they got to reconnect during our days at HN. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Peace in your loss.

Julie (Foley) Miller

April 26, 2019

My daughter had the privilege of being coached by Mr. Raymond just a few years ago. He would stand at the plate and had trust in her to throw a pitch at full speed. My daughter was terrified lol. Also She had him sign an Olympic jersey from Jenny Finch in which she cherishes. Rest In Peace Mr. Raymond. You will forever be remembered as positive role model in her life!

Laura Gavitt

Friend

April 26, 2019

Buddy and Family, Very sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. Nice to read that Mr. and Mrs. Raymond had 70 wonderful years together. David Kittredge/ Holden

David Kittredge

April 25, 2019

Sorry for Your loss You Dad was My gym teacher and sports coach at Downing St School in the 60's. He bought Me a glove so I could play 1'st base because My parents couldn't afford one.

Don Roberts

April 25, 2019

To The Entire Raymond Family,
My sincere condolences to each of you. Thank you all for sharing your beloved Ralph with all of us on the ballfields who had the honor and privilege of being an extended arm of your family. I am so fortunate to have had Ralph as a father figure, a role model, and of course as a life changing softball coach. I learned so much more than just softball from him and carry those life lessons with me every day and continue to share and pass them on to the next generation of boys and girls I have the opportunity to influence. I will continue to smile over the years as I remember all of Ralph's football, baseball, and softball stories, the countless games of cards we played, his love of all of you, God, and his country, and the many years of memories and experiences I was so blessed to have shared with him. In life, I still continue to focus on the little things because the big things will take care of themselves! Heaven just got a little bit better and I am sure that Ralph is continuing to "Do it Right" there as he shares his bluebird of happiness. I love you Ralph Raymond, you will forever be in my heart and your legacy will continue on through all of us who reaped the benefits of knowing you.

Sheila Cornell Douty

April 25, 2019

Dear Kathy and Family,
It was an honor to read your dad's amazing
life achievements this morning.
Keeping you in my daily thoughts and prayers.
I know that so much of your dad was handed
down to all of you, just from the memories of
the Sacred Heart Academy musicals alone!!
What a blessing for you to have witnessed
your dad's deep faith being embedded in his coaching as well as in raising his large family.
A big part of his success in life coming from never forgetting where he came from. He was able to
give back in so many ways because of his deep
roots and love of his simple but full and rich life.

Truly a long, well lived life and memories to fill
your hearts with so much pride and joy.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Annmarie

Annmarie Quinlivan

April 25, 2019

To the Raymond Family I am so sorry for your loss. Ralph was so so special to a great number of us players. He was an incredible coach and taught us so much, both on and off the field. His family and Mary were so important to him and made sure that we as players knew that the game was important but your life off the field was just as much. He always made sure we had opportunities for advancement. He celebrated our successes because he was a part of all of them. Thank you for sharing Ralph with 'us' players and with our sport. We are all better because of him. His legacy will live on far longer than any of us -- the number of people he touched in our sport is incredible. Thank you Coach, rest in peace.

Michele Smith

April 25, 2019

Dear Buddy and The Raymond Family.
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your Dad. Mr Raymond, by his nature,always made me feel welcome whenever I would visit with Buddy. He will be missed by countless players/teachers/coaches who all acknowledge his contribution to their career choices. RIP Mr Raymond.
Respectfully,
Paul Sullivan

Paul Sullivan

April 25, 2019

Mike and family, Ralph brought East Side Post to the top and did so wherever he coached. His players just knew
when they played for him, that it was special. I had that experience with him and never forgot it. I have always been grateful. Truly an "Officer and Gentleman" Rest in peace......Lou DeSantis

Lou DeSantis

April 24, 2019

To the Raymond family, we are very sorry for your loss. My your memories be filled with love and happiness when you reflect on Ralph.
May Ralph Rest In Peace, where we know we all will be united one day.

Anthony Petrone

April 24, 2019

The greatest gift any parent can pass along to their children, grandchildren, and friends is a legacy of treating others as you would want to be treated. Ralph and Mary Raymond have done that in a spectacular but low-key fashion. Having been a teacher, coach, and friend to their family for many years, I can see that their successes as adults have been due not only to their innate abilities, but by the example set by their parents. There certainly was no shortage of love in that house near Burncoat Park. I have always felt proud to know each and every one of them as a teacher, coach, mentor and friend as well as a co-worker with Ralph and chronicling his team's successes as a sportswriter. Ralph had a wonderful singing voice, with which he would serenade those at home and in his Olympic locker rooms. His final song would paraphrase Sinatra, with Ralph singing, "I did it God's Way". As in baseball and softball, he is now "Safe at home".

Paul Daley

Friend

April 24, 2019

Thank you Ralph for the chance to coach with you and learn from you. RIP Coach!

Margie Wright

Friend

April 24, 2019

Sending peaceful thoughts to you during this very sad time

Elaine gustafson

April 24, 2019

Ralph was a friend of the Frannicola family. My dad (Nick) would take me to Stratford to see the games and I met Ralph. We had a great relationship. He as a coach of the National team and I as a Commissioner. When the team won the Olympics in 1996, the players came to play in the WMFP tournament playing on their ASA Teams. Ralph and I spent the week-end talking about the good old days in Stratford. It was a time I will always remember. Ralph was a Great Coach, a Great Person, and a Great Friend. God Bless You Always. Angelo Frannicola Commissioner USA Softball of Newark

Angelo Frannicola

Friend

April 24, 2019

Respect for one of the true pioneers in our sport! Rest In Peace, Coach!

Teresa Wilson

Student

April 24, 2019

I always loved my conversations with my Uncle Ralph. Of course he loved softball, but he had a great love for music and we would discuss various artists. A wonderful family man who was very humble an soft-spoken. I had asked him to speak at a Rotary meeting back around 2007 and he was captivating! I will miss you Uncle Ralph! God bless my Aunt Mary and all my cousins for the great job they did over the past several years.

John Morello

Family

April 24, 2019

Mr. Raymond was my gym teacher at Gage Street School in Worcester in the mid-1960s. What a gentle man he was!

Frank Virzi

Student

April 24, 2019

Ralph was a great coach. I learned so much from him. My prayers go out to Mary and the entire family.

Donna Devlin

Friend

April 24, 2019

To the Raymond Family
The loss of Mr. Raymond is very sad for you as well as his Doherty High football family. Other than my own Mom and Dad, your Dad, my coach, was the most influential man in my life. I am a teacher and a coach because of the values your Dad instilled in me, as well as all my teammates, and all the players whose lives he touched. All the cliches are true when it comes to the impact your father had on everyone he ever taught or coached. As the present day football coach at Doherty, I take great pride in doing the same things he did the same way he did them. Not a day goes by on Highland St. where Mr. Raymond is not quoted or referred to in some capacity. And that will be forever. As a man of faith, like him, I know he is in a better place. Our condolences go out to his wife Mrs. Raymond, his children, and his extended family. The thoughts and prayers of the Doherty High football program are with you.
With sincere sympathy,
Sean Mulcahy

Sean Mulcahy

Student

April 24, 2019

Thank you for everything you have done, Coach. Heaven is a better place today. ❤

Karen Johns

Friend

April 24, 2019

I first met coach when he picked me up to play in the world championships in 1986...I always enjoyed his sense of humor and the confidence he had in his players. He treated his players with respect and compassion . I feel very lucky to have played for Ralph and really enjoyed my time with him. He taught me to play with an even temperament and to always work to my best effort.

michele granger

April 24, 2019

Ralph, He was one person who loved softball and people in general. I met him many years ago while at one of the ASA/USA annual meetings and found him to be friendly and his love for softball. To his family, May God Bless you all.
Doug Dicey, NHASA/USA Commissioner Emeritus

Douglas Dicey

April 24, 2019

My condolences to the Raymond Family. I played football and baseball at Doherty for coach Raymond. He was the fairest, most sincere coach and a gentleman as well. We respected him in every way as a coach and person. Such a humble man and dedicated to young people. His influence, and sportsmanship is an example of what a role model coach can have on his players that carry over into life. I feel blessed to have had him as a coach and mentor. He certainly lived an active incredible life, and impacted so many lives. May he Rest In Peace.

Michael Swillo

Friend

April 24, 2019

There are no words that can express my gratitude to be bale to have this man as a coach. He was not only a coach but a sincere concerned father to all of his players. I am sure that this carried over into his everyday life. His dedication and devotion to his friends, his players and, I am sure, to his family will never be forgotten. RIP coach you were one in a million.

Andy Higgins

April 24, 2019

Kash (Kathy),
You and I just talked last Friday. I'm so sorry for the passing of your dad. I can still see him sitting in the living room, back in the 70's, with a funny grin on his face, as we were getting ready to go out. How ironic that he passed 2 days after Paul Cantiani who was the Chairman for the Ralph Raymond Testimonial.


Chersh (Cheryl Goulet-Simo)

April 24, 2019

a loved one

April 24, 2019

Jay Miller

April 24, 2019

Ralph Raymond was a legend. He was known by so many for his devotion and dedication to his entire family. He was amazing at everything he did and was. He was the best coach that Doherty Memorial High ever had as well as the girls USA softball team. All of his accomplishments are to many to mention here. It was an honor for me to know this man. He and Mary raised a beautiful loving family. You only had to meet Ralph once and he left an everlasting impression on you. You blessed your presence in this world for 94 years Ralph. This world was a better place because of you. Rest in peace my friend.

Susan Bauman-Gilligan

Friend

April 23, 2019

Kathy, So sorry to about your Dad's passing. He will never be forgotten.

Sandy Robichaud

Sandra Robichaud

Friend

April 23, 2019

What can I possibly say that hasn't already been said a million ways about my remarkable Uncle Ralph. He was a notable person in the sports world but I knew him as an adored husband, father, grandfather and uncle to all of the many nieces and nephews. We'll treasure the memories.

Maureenb Flaherty

Family

April 23, 2019

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Calling hours

3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel - Worcester

370 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605

Apr

29

Mass of Christian Burial

10:00 a.m.

St Bernard's Church

228 Lincoln Street, MA

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Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel - Worcester

370 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605

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