Ramiro Antonio Baptista

Here are a few lessons from Ray, in hopes he can touch you as he touched us: Do the work in private and celebrate in public. Never assume something that looks simple is easy. (The best and hardest things look that way). Being right is not as important as being good. Show up for people every time you can. And we keep people alive when we say their names and tell their stories.

As a child, Ray was clever, imaginative, and joyful, and he held onto those traits throughout his life. An architect. An inventor. An entrepreneur. An artist. He had the unique ability to make things better and more beautiful wherever he was. He was spiritual, funny, and a little naughty. He believed that even in hard times, there was still good to be found, and he looked for it, always.

The details of Ray's life sometimes sound mythical. He used to run to his high school track meets, win the race, and run back home. He served as a Petty Officer Second Class and submariner in the United States Navy, traveling to places like Sardinia and Cuba, and participating in the Falklands War. He was part of a small team of engineers who expanded the capacity of the Fulton Sky Hook, a military harness used to airlift people out of emergencies. He earned two associate degrees, a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, and a Master's in Technology Education. He was a Unit Commissioner of his Boy Scout troop. He designed a special coin that was sent into outer space. And, as he proudly shared, he never threw up in his life.

Home Depot was Ray's home away from home. He enjoyed flipping houses, always seeing potential where others couldn't. He designed hundreds of homes and commercial spaces across Connecticut. Ray was an exceptional landlord, often letting tenants who had fallen on hard times stay in their homes and offering support. He was a great friend and father figure to many. He was a proud Portuguese American and supporter of the Benfica soccer team. He liked Manhattan clam chowder, Rhode Island quahogs, and vanilla soft serve. While he loved a good meal, he mostly cared about who he shared it with. Ray cherished time at his lake house, where he spent long days tinkering, hosting parties for loved ones, and watching the sunset from his hammock.

Ray's relationships were rich and deep. He married the love of his life, Ana Paula, three times, including once in Vegas, and he recently proposed to her again. (She said yes, again.) His only regret was not knowing her sooner so they could have grown up together, even though they had been friends since high school.

Ray and his sister, Fatima (aka Nina), joked with everyone that they were identical twins-which was impossible-but still managed to fool a lot of people. That's how close they were.

Ray was the greatest dad to his daughter, Cassy. They shared a best-friend secret handshake and wore two halves of the same heart necklace. She will tell his stories forever.

Ray is survived by his parents, Emilia and Ramiro Baptista; his wife, Ana Paula Pereira Baptista; his daughter, Cassandra Baptista and her husband, Benjamin Bell; his sister, Fatima Baptista Palais and her husband, Jon Palais. He loved his sister-in-law and brothers-in-law like siblings, and his nieces and nephews like his own children. Everyone was better for having known him, and we didn't take a moment with him for granted.

The family will have a private service. Friends are welcome to join a public mass on January 25, 2026, at 11am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Regional Hospice in Danbury and doing a good deed in Ray's name.