July 24, 2011
Fleck, Raymond F.
Raymond Franklin Fleck, a resident of Walple since 1990, and formerly of Norwood, died Sunday, July 24th, 2011 at the Norwood Hospital in Norwood, Massachusetts after a brief illness. He was 88. Ray was born November 21, 1922 in Norwood, MA, one of the four children of Franklin William, and Gertrude (Bacon) Fleck. He graduated from Norwood High School with the Class of 1940, Earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the New England Conservatory in 1947, and earned his Masters Degree in Music Education from Boston University in 1954. Ray served in the US Navy Navy from 1942 to 1946 as a sonar man on Yard Mine Sweeper 266. He visited 43 islands in the South Pacific and swept the harbors for mines before the battles of Guam and Bougainville, Guadalcanal, Wake Island, Tinian, Saipan, and Eniwetok. Raymond worked as Supervisor of Music in Lebanon, New Hampshire from 1947 to 1950; as a Music Supervisor in Adams, Massachusetts from 1950 to 1953; and as a Music Teacher and Director of Audio-Visual Education in Norwood from 1953 until his retirement in 1989. Raymond was a member of the American Legion and played in the American Legion band; a member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution; the Massachussetts State President of the national Society of the Sons of the American Revolution; a Commander of the Massachusetts S.A.R. Continental Army Color Guard; a Norwood Town Meeting Member for many years; and a Warden for the town elections in Walpole, Massachusetts. Raymond was also very active in Masons. He was a member of DeMolay, and a recipient of the Chevalier Award; a member and Past Master of of Orient Lodge AF & AM of Norwood; a member and Past High Priest of the Hebron Royal Arch Chapter; a member and Past Commander of the Norwood Commandery; a member and Past Illustrious Master of the Hyde Park Council; a member of the York Rite Order of the Purple Cross; and a Conductor of the Taleb Grotto Band. Ray was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Norwood for over 75 years, having been baptized there on December 22, 1935. He served the church in many different leadership positions during that time. Ray is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ann Davison (Duffie) Fleck; his son, William D. Fleck, and his wife Susan E., of Franklin, MA; his daughter, Carol A. Whetzel, and her husband Michael D. Whetzel Sr., of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; his two sisters, Marion L. Harding of Georgetown, Massachusetts, and Nancy J. Curtis of Zellwood, Florida; his grandchildren, Melanie J. Taylor, Michael D. Whetzel, Janet E. Lundgren, Timothy W. Fleck, Joyce E. Fleck, and Diane M. Fleck; and his great grandchildren, Nathan M. Whetzel, Joshua P. Whetzel, and Malachi A. Taylor. Raymond was the brother of the late Robert W. Fleck. Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, July 27th from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the May Funeral Home, 85 Nichols Street, Norwood. Orient Lodge AF & AM of Norwood will provide a Masonic Service during the evening visitation. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral Thursday at 10 AM at the First Baptist Church of Norwood. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Harwich, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers donations tot he First Baptist Church, 71 Bond Street Norwood, MA 02062 would be appreciated.
Comments(25)
My sincere condolence to Ray’s family. He is at peace now. He will be loved and remembered by all who knew him. A special hug for you Ann.
Love,
Joyce
Ray has touched the lives and hearts of many, many people and he will be greatly missed. He was a gentle man who always had a smile and a good word for everyone he met. Now he will be soaring with the angels, giving them music lessons and looking down on us with a smile on his kind face.
I am so sorry about your loss.
Our faith is certainly tested at times like this. I find solace in the words of the Bible that say “Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” I am confident that God will comfort us in our time of need.
I will pray for you and your family that you may find the strength to carry on in faith. I will ask for God’s choicest blessings on you all. God Bless.
Dear Ann and family,
It has been a good while since we have seen you all at an SAR event. I first met you at the SAR Tampa Congress in 1986 when you were our honorary DAR PG Drummer and I was there to fill a uniform and carry a musket in the heat. Anne and I are sorry to learn of Ray’s death and thank Compatriot Manning for sending out the notice. There were only 5 people at this year’s North Carolina Congress who were present at the Tampa Congress. The times have changed greatly.
Sincerely,
Barry and Anne McKown
Maryland Society SAR
Dear Ann,
I am so sorry that Ray, your life-long musical partner, is gone. He will surely be missed by many friends. I send my sympathy and love to you, Susan Gonchar
I was saddened to hear of Ray’s passing. We marched in many parades together as members of the SAR. We stood on opposite sides of the fence on many items, but Ray was always willing to listen. The SAR will miss another great leader.
Richard C. Wright
To the Fleck family,
What a huge loss. Times like these are extremely tough. We can have comfort knowing that he is now with our Savior Lord Jesus Christ. And that he is making music up in Heaven and entertaining everyone.
May God bless you all and give us all the strength to carry us through this pressing time.
Ray will be greatly missed by the many people that he touched.
Ann
My mother Margaret(DAR) and father Harry(Masons)often spoke fondly of both of you many years ago and I have enjoyed speaking with you at a few SAR functions. You were seldom far from your drum. Ray was a good man. You are fortunate to have had so much time together. I believe that he is now at peace with our Lord. Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss.
Harry
I remember Ray as your perfect partner — especially at your side when you were DAR President General. Among other ways, he charmed us all as Smokey the Bear teaching one and all to put out all camp fires! He will be sorely missed, although your Consolation is great. I send my deepest sympathies. With love, Fran
I am saddened to hear of Ray’s passing. I have known him since my childhood days, seeing him in my elementary school helping with reel to reel projectors and any other equipment teachers needed help with. My memories at First Baptist Church will also be remembered. Ray was always helping out wherever help was needed. My condolences go out to Ann and the rest of the Fleck family. He is at peace now and in the Lord’s hands. Janet Chesebrough Deschenes
Ann you and Ray are the sweetest people we have ever met. It was a pleasure doing work for you in your house. Thank you so much for the Christmas Cards every year that you sent to Anselone Flooring, they are all hanging up in our office. Take care Ann and our prayers are with you. Love Nancy
Dear Ann and family
My deepest sympathy for all of you at this time. May God give you peace knowing Raymond is with him. Always enjoyed seeing Raymond at Continental Congress.
Kathy Huff
Michigan DAR
Dear Ann and Family,
You and Ray were such fun to be around. His quiet manner and big smile always made my husband Sezgin and me feel right at home. We will miss him Ann. Love to you and your family.
C. Elizabeth and Sezgin Candas
DAR HODAR
Ann, Laura and I send our deepest regrets on Ray’s passing. May he be with the Lord and the Lord with you and your family. Ray preceded me as State SAR President and as National Trustee and we shared rooms at the Brown Hotel in Louisville many times. He always helped me and I supported him. The same for Freemasonry.
What a loss, so sorry to hear about his passing. I had the very good luck to work with Ray and Ann at the Baptist Church and know that they are the pillars of the church and a couple that every one looked up to. They are both so talented and faithful and loving. God Bless Ray Fleck.
“Pa” will be missed. He lived an impressive life and was loved and admired by many. Heaven will benefit with the addition of his musical talent and good-heartedness. Wayne and I will keep your family in our prayers. God Bless.
Dearest Ann and family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers as we remember Ray. One couldn’t help but smile just to be in his presence. His pride and devotion in you was a perfect example of the gentleman that he was. God bless you all now, and always.
My dear Ann,
What a sad day it is to hear about Ray’s death. As you go thru life you meet many people, but some stand out more than others. You and Ray top my list of wonderful people, he paid me such wonderful compliments when I was DAR Chaplain. I will never forget the two of you, and how pleased he was with his NH Tartan Tie. Please take care of yourself, and know that many people love you and will be praying for you and your family.
Dear Ann
I send my deepest sympathy to you and your family at this very difficult time. God Bless You.
Roxana A. Smith NH DAR
To the Fleck family,
I was very sorry to hear of Uncle Ray’s passing. I had the good fortune to speak with Uncle Ray on the Saturday before his passing. I was seated in the stands adjacent to the horse and oxen pulling area at the Stratham Fair. Uncle Ray and I chatted for some time about the pulling events at the local fairs. It was clear from our chat that Uncle Ray loved the excitement associated with pulling.
When I asked him if Auntie Anne liked horse and oxen pulling he was very judicious in his response: “Well, not as much as me.”
I first met Uncle Ray about three years ago at the cookout at my house for Pam’s Dad. Uncle Ray kept me company while I grilled the chicken and meats. I really enjoyed Uncle Ray’s stories about his musical education and teaching career. You could tell that he loved music. (I am certain that Uncle Ray is busy conducting musical concerts in heaven! There is no doubt in my mind.)
I consider Uncle Ray to exhibit the characteristics of a Renaissance man. He not only spoke to me as an expert in music, but he exhibited a great deal of knowledge in other areas, including history and the military. I really consider that time spent with Uncle Ray as very special.
Perhaps Uncle Ray’s greatest love and achievement though was with his family.
Even though I knew Uncle Ray for a very short time, he touched me deeply and I will miss him.
Rest in peach, Uncle Ray!
We will miss Compatriot Fleck, a kind and thoughtful man. His involvement in SAR and generous support of C.A.R. are exemplary.
Dan Kraft
Dear Ann & family,
I will keep you and your family in my prayers. I am sorry to hear about your husband and know he will be missed for a long time. Marlene Taggart, Honorary State Regent
D.C. DAR
Dear Mrs. Fleck and family,
On behalf of the NHSODAR, our deep and heartfelt condolences are sent your way.
Mr. Fleck was a warm and caring individual whose sense of humor was always welcome and will be greatly missed.
We were fortunate to have shared him with you for many years, when he would come with you Mrs. Fleck, to our Cathedral of the Pines weekend of events. We especially remember the wonderful program that he gave to us on the different hats that he wore!
Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
In friendship,
Laura
Laura McCrillis Kessler
State Regent
NH State Organization Daughters of the American Revolution
Dear Mrs. Fleck,
On behalf on NHSODAR our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mr Fleck shared many talents with many people.
We pray for you and your family.
Marilyn Pratt-Holmquist
State Chaplain
NH State Organization Daughters of the American Revolution
Dear Ann:
I was so sad to hear of Ray’s passing. You and Ray have been like family in that my father spoke of you both and frequently wrote about you in family letters. I am sure there is now an active Color Guard marching in heaven.
Mike and Shelley Walker