OSWEGO, NY – Raymond W. Powers, of 448 Myers Road, Oswego, a lifelong resident of Scriba, passed quietly at Seneca Hill Manor, Saturday, November 16, 2013.
Ray was born on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, 1931, at his parents’ home in Scriba.
He was not a college graduate – he was a simple, honest, loyal family loving man who valued his family and the acquired friendships of those he admired and appreciated.
Those who knew Ray respected his no-nonsense purposeful ideals, his practical down-to-earth methods of dealing with everyday life.
Ray’s onset of health problems started early in life but did not deter him from his real loves and ambitions.
His family came first, but secondly he was a lifetime sportsman and outdoorsman.
From a very early age his parents, his uncles and his friends instilled in Ray a love for the majestic mountains, the quiet gentle forests, the cool sparkling streams, the cold lake waters, and the deep swift flowing rivers.
He didn’t kill for sport, only for food.
The older men taught him to respect all living things – the rabbit, the quail, the patridge (as Ray called partridge), the wapiti (deer), the fish – that provided nourishment for his family.
As a young man, Ray worked on numerous muck lands for the local farmers, including the Marano family and for Ken Sheldon.
He also worked as a stock boy at the Woolsworth 5 cent and 10 cent department store in Oswego.
A week after high school graduation from Oswego High School he went to work for the Nestle Company in Fulton as a laborer.
Raymond married the former Betty Crandall from Hannibal and in a span of five years the couple was joined by four adorable sons: Garry Raymond, Dan Thomas, Scott Wilburt, and Patrick Lee.
After 15 years at Nestle, seeking a much different work environment with much improved benefits, Ray obtained employment with the Alrall Company, later called Alcan Aluminum Corporation, in Scriba, where he worked for 25 years.
He retired in August 1989, from his team leader position on the 72-inch high-speed cold rolling mill.
His coworkers endearingly nicknamed him dad – he was the oldest man on his crew and senior man as well.
Ray was a past member of the United Methodist Church of Scriba and a member of the United Baptist Church Route 104, of Scriba.
He had served with the Scriba Volunteer Fire Department and the Alcan Emergency Squad.
Ray served as sexton at Peck Cemetery, Scriba, and for several years as a dog warden in Scriba.
Ray was a member of Nicks Lake Rudland Gun Club in Old Forge, in the Adirondacks, and a member of The Butterfly Waterfowl Club, Scriba, and for more than 60 years a member of The Spikehorn Camp in Brantingham.
I’d like to close with this reflection because of his love for western books and movies.
Ray has now seen his last sunset, answering the call to the final roundup. His spirit will be with us forever and always. I am confident we will meet again at the campfire in the sky. Lord, hear our prayers as his life on earth has changed but it has not ended – Ray journeys on with the Great Spirit, may he rest in eternal peace. The passing of time will never heal our hearts completely but those of us remaining have to go on – there will be new horizons to see and live through.
Ray was predeceased by his first wife, Betty; his beloved parents, Harold and Emma Raymond Powers; his brother, Jacky; and his sister, Norma Powers Cronk.
Remaining to cherish his memory are his wife of 21 years, Nan Wright Powers; his four sons, Dan T. Powers and wife, Judy of Fulton, Garry R. Powers and wife, Deborah, Patrick L. Powers and Scott W. Powers, all of Oswego; 12 grandchildren, Stephanie, Tammy, Amanda, Jade, Shannon, Kimberly, Christopher, Rachel, Joshua, Nicholas, Andrew and Jeremy; 19 great-grandchildren, Jeffrey, Derrick, Olivia, Lillian, Cayley, Maxamus, Terry (T), Bentley, Trayton, Emma, Lochlyn, Makennah, Kamdyn, Nathan, Ella, Ava, Ewan, Tennyson and Rowan.
Family and friends are invited to call at the Nelson Funeral Home Wednesday from noon until 2 p.m., followed by funeral services with Rev. Vivian Summerville, at the funeral home 11 W. Albany St., Oswego.
Burial will be in the Power’s family plot, Peck Cemetery, County Route 4 (Hall Road), South Scriba, NY.
Expressions of sympathy may directed in his memory to The Scriba Christmas Project, which his parents, Emma and Harold Powers, originally organized on Klocks Corners Road at their home, or to an organization of your choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.nelson-funeralhome.com
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Sorry for you loss of your grandfather Stephanie. Your in my thoughts and prayers. <3 Steph.
TO the Powers Family~I have come to know many of you during the past year and consider you extended family. We share our joys, stories, excitement and yes, even sadness. It was precisely the same day that I lost my father nearly 8 years ago and the memories forever remain, just as yours will. What a Beautifully written testimony of Ray’s life – it certainly captured the Very Essence of what’s important and the treasures in your heart that he left for you to embrace. My deepest sympathies.