Raymond B. Edwin

Raymond Brant Edwin of Freeville passed away on January 2, 2019 at Strong Memorial in Rochester surrounded by his family. He was born in Mineola, NY on November 15,1941 to the late Henry V. Edwin and Helen (Light) Edwin. He graduated from West Hempstead High School in 1959 and attended Dean Junior College, Dutchess Community College, and Marist College. He served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. On August 22, 1964 he married his wife Bonnie (Swick) Edwin of Odessa, NY.

While in the Navy he trained and worked with computers and programming. After his time in the Navy, Ray was employed by IBM as a computer program for 25 years and retired from IBM. He then worked as a Quality Engineer for BI, ATT in Colorado, and BAE in New Hampshire.

Ray loved people and tried to bring peace, love, and acceptance to the world. He tried to follow the example of Jesus Christ. He fought for the oppressed and those less fortunate. For many years Ray was a member of the Highland Congregational United Church of Christ in Ithaca.

Ray considered himself a strong ally of the LGBTQ community, and always strove to empower people to feel good about themselves. He was a member of the Rainbow Chorus in Colorado, the Ulster County Association of Racial Equality in Saugerties, NY, and a member of the Board of Trustees for the CENTER in Cortland, NY. He was also an active member of PFLAG.

Throughout his life, Ray was an active part of any community in which he resided. While living in Saugerties, he was both a soccer coach and a Boy Scout Webelo leader. He also was a member of the American Society of Quality in Colorado, New Jersey, and in New Hampshire, where he served as the chapter president. He was also active in Toastmasters in Colorado, New Hampshire, and New York.

Ray’s interests and hobbies included birding and outdoor adventures with his family as well as hiking, camping, canoeing, biking, and traveling. In later years, he and Bonnie traveled to Scotland, Italy, Costa Rica, and most of the western states looking for new birds and nature to discover.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie, of Freeville, NY; daughter Andrea Edwin-Russo (Dean) of Dryden; son Brandt Raymond Edwin (Cheri) of Portland. Oregon; and four grandchildren: Jakob and Samuel Edwin of Portland Oregon, and Karinsa and Leanne Russo of Dryden, NY. He is also survived by a brother, Richard Edwin, of Bradenton, Florida, niece Debbie (Edwin) Snow and nephews Scott, Eric, and Chris Edwin.

Calling hours will be Friday, January 11 from 3-5 pm at Perkins Funeral Home in Dryden. The funeral will be held on Saturday, January 12 at First Congregational Church UCC, 309 Highland Avenue, Ithaca, NY at 10:30 am.

In memory of Ray and what he stood for, a Raymond Edwin Diversity Scholarship Fund will be set up for students at Dryden High School who stand up against those who bully and are considered allies of marginalized individuals. The scholarship fund is in the process of being set up. If you are interested in making a donation please contact Bonnie Edwin or Andrea Russo at [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.