Raymond E. Ramsdell II

1947 - 2016

R.W. Raymond E. Ramsdell II, 68, husband of Janet I. (Foucher) Miller Ramsdell of Salisbury and New Hampton, NH, died Saturday, February 6, 2016 in the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, Haverhill, following his brief illness. Born in Beverly August 29, 1947, son of the late Raymond E. and Ruth I. (Greenwood) Ramsdell, he was raised in Essex and was a 1965 graduate of Gloucester High School. Following graduation he entered the U.S. Navy and trained and graduated from the Navy Basic Submarine School in New London, CT. He served aboard the submarines USS Angler and the USS Sea Robin during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged as a Torpedoman Second Class Petty Officer. He was employed for over thirty years by The Gillette Company and retired in 2002 as a manufacturing specialist. Raymond Elliott Ramsdell II became a Freemason and a member of John T. Heard Lodge, Ipswich in 1992. He served as Worshipful Master from 1997 to 1998, was Lodge Secretary and Assistant Secretary from 2003 to present, and was Building Association Secretary from 2008 to present. Ray was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (Joseph Warren Medal) in 2002, and appointed District Deputy Grand Master for the Tenth Masonic District for 2013 to 2015. He served on many Lodge Committees attending to facility needs, nurturing and encouraging new members and instructing officers. Ray spent so many hours at the Lodge cooking meals and and catering social events (often accompanied by his loving wife, Janet) that the kitchen was recently dedicated to his honor. He was committed to the principles of Freemasonry in supporting his Lodge, helping his fellow Masons and reaching out to the community on behalf of Masonic charities. Ray was also a member of Budleigh Lodge Beverly; the Valleys of Salem and Boston, Scottish Rite; Ipswich Royal Arch Chapter, York Rite; and was an Aleppo Shriner. A beloved and respected member of the fraternity, Ray loved Masonry and was an inspiration to all who knew him. His influence and friendship will be sorely missed. In addition to his lodge he enjoyed spending time hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and four wheeling in New Hampshire where he had built his home. In addition to his wife Janet of thirteen years he is survived by four sons, Michael L. Ramsdell of Essex, James E. Ramsdell and his wife Julie A. of Gloucester, John T. Ramsdell and his wife Tracey of Atkinson, NH, Brian R. Ramsdell and his wife Cassandra of Haverhill, stepsons Steven and David Miller both of Salisbury, eight grandchildren, Jordan, Nathan, Alyssa, James, Tyler, Brittany, Brandy and John Ramsdell, three great grandchildren, Kyah Rae, Leah, Declan, a brother, Robert E. Ramsdell of Gloucester, and a sister, Renee I. Ramsdell of San Diego, CA. He was the brother of the late Ruth Blaisdell formerly of Lynn. Visiting hours will be Wednesday 4 to 8 pm in the John T. Heard Masonic Lodge, 70 Topsfield Rd. Ipswich. Family and friends are respectfully welcomed. Arrangements are the direction of the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in his name may be made to Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 North Ave., Haverhill, MA 01830 and or the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation, 341 W. 38th Street, Suite 501, NY, NY 10018. To send a condolence please visit www.whittier-porter.com