Ray Hirsch went dancing home on August 29, 2015 to his wife Betty. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1921 but it all began in Hollywood, dancing at the age of 12. Ray won the National Jitterbug Contest in 1938. He taught Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney and others to dance and did movies with them and various artists in early days of the big screen.
He fought as a Marine in WWII in the Pacific campaign, including the liberation of the Philippines and battles of Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal. After returning from the War, he did a few more movies in Hollywood before eloping with the love of his life of 67 years, Betty Biggs.
He has always entertained in a variety of venues- the St. Bernard Club, San Francisco Fashion Guild, and Mended Hearts since 1961. In 2008, he was inducted to the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame. He was the humorous and larksome type and had endless interesting stories to tell. Ray loved his wife, children, life, Big Band, dance and dogs.
Ray is survived by three children: Rae Dawn, Radley (Paula), Jana (Jim), granddaughter: Larisa, step-granddaughters: Kasey and Sara, and great-grandchildren: Vincent Jr., Autumn and Alyvia.
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