Raymond was born to Carmine Parisi and Fannie Campanella Parisi in Newark, NJ, on October 6, 1933. In pursuit of higher education, Raymond received his BA in Pre-Medical Studies from Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. Afterward, he attended medical school at both the University of North Dakota and at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he received his Doctor of Medicine Degree. Raymond served his residency at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC. He specialized in obstetrics and gynecology, practicing medicine in Washington, DC and Southern Maryland for 30 years. He served as chairman of the OB/GYN departments for three terms at Greater Southeast Community Hospital in Washington, DC and for six years at Southern Maryland Hospital Center.
While preparing for his career in medicine, on May 6, 1961, Raymond married the love of his life, Maureen Elizabeth “Beth” Kohl, with whom he shared the best 60 years of his life.
In the late 1960s, Raymond took his medical skills abroad to Vietnam where he had the honor of serving his nation as a physician for two years in the U.S. Army. There, he operated close to the front lines, saving many lives and ascending to the rank of Major before returning home; he received a number of medals and commendations, including the Bronze Star.
When Raymond retired from medicine, he indulged his creative impulses with a variety of artistic pursuits that ranged from Chinese Brush Stroke painting to enameling and jewelry making. His specialty was Plique-A-Jour jewelry. Raymond’s art brought him further achievement when for three terms he served as the President of the National Enamelist Guild and for six years as Vice President of The Enamelist Society. He was also a member of The Enamellists’ Gallery at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, VA; he has sold his jewelry and other work for the past 20 years in Virginia and North Carolina.
Upon moving to North Carolina, Raymond became a Knight of the Msgr. Michael A. Carey Council (6650) of the Knights of Columbus and a faithful member of the Mother Teresa Catholic Church in Cary, NC.
In his personal life, Raymond was an avid fan of the Washington Football Team (NFL) and the Georgetown University Hoyas Men’s Basketball Team, becoming a member of the Hoya Hoop Club. He enjoyed travel and experiencing diverse cultures, having visited dozens of countries across five continents. He also became a wine connoisseur, and his gastronomic interests guided Raymond’s passion for food, inspiring him to become an accomplished chef of various cuisines the world-over.
Raymond is preceded in death by his father, Carmine Parisi, and his mother, Fannie Campanella Parisi.
He will be missed by his wife of 60 years, Beth Parisi; son, Ray Parisi Jr. (wife Gretchen); daughter, Maria Parisi; daughter Michele McKinley (husband Kraig); and his four grandchildren: Laura, Anna, Alex and Adrienne.
Services will be held at Saint Michael’s Catholic Church in Cary, NC, at 11 am on Monday the seventh to be followed by a reception at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary, NC.
In lieu of flowers, please provide donations to Mother Teresa Catholic Church: https://motherteresa.weshareonline.org
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0