Raymond Dewey Crofoot

SKANEATELES, NY –  Raymond Dewey Crofoot, 80, of Skaneateles, died peacefully at home on September 1, 2025. He was born July 14, 1945, to Dewey and Louise Crofoot.
Ray, the son of a career Army officer, spent his early years relocating often with his family. He graduated from Nuremberg American High School in Germany, where he was a standout football player and heavyweight wrestler. As an adult, Ray settled in Fulton, NY, where he married and raised his family. He worked for many years as a purchasing manager for Anheuser-Busch and eventually was tasked with working on special projects in St. Louis, MO. Ray retired in 2000.
Ray enjoyed gardening, playing cards, hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, and canoeing. He was well known for his “wander-abouts”, exploring every possible back road. Ray enjoyed 13 years volunteering as a cafeteria cashier at Auburn Memorial Hospital. He was a driver for Meals on Wheels and served on the Skaneateles Presbyterian Manor Board.
Ray is survived by his devoted wife of 30 years, Deborah McLear; son Steven (Heather); grandchildren Jeffrey (Alessa), Ryanne, Bradley (Imani) Crofoot, Ahnna, and Sophia
Parkhurst; sister Gerry Lingo (Johnny); brother Michael; 4 great grandchildren; 2 nieces, and his former wife Jill Pratt.
He was predeceased by his parents and his daughter, Laurie Parkhurst.
It was Ray’s wish to donate his body to Upstate Medical University, The Anatomical Gift Program. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, September 20th, 11 AM at the First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles with a reception to follow.
To honor Ray’s memory, please consider donating to the First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles, where Ray was a member, or Hospice of CNY, which took such good care of him in his final days.
To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

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