Raymond William Egan Jr.

It is with great sadness and love that we announce the passing of Raymond William Egan, Jr., 89, of West Chesterfield, NH at Cheshire Medical Center on Sunday, April 12, 2026 surrounded by his family after a 6 month heroic battle with brain cancer. To say he will be missed is an understatement.

Ray was born on February 9, 1937 to Phyllis (Berry) and Raymond William Egan, Sr. in Boston, MA. He moved to Spofford as a young boy and graduated from Keene High School in 1955 and was a proud recipient of the prestigious Sharby Award for excellence in football. As a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, he proudly served in Japan before returning to New Hampshire to marry his high school sweetheart, Mary-Ellen Kimball, with whom they shared three children.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Rae Egan, daughters Kathryn Bottomley (Todd), Lisa Cook (Paul Teitelman) grandchildren Scott Bottomley (Amy), Daniel Bottomley, Hailey Cook, Mike Egan (Kaytlyn), Tina Egan, Michelle Herrington (Michael), brother Robert Egan (Lori), sister-in-law Judy Egan, daughter-in-law Patricia Egan, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother William Egan in 2017, his former wife Mary-Ellen Egan in 2021 and his son David Egan in 2025.

Ray had long and dedicated careers with Public Service Company of NH and several real estate brokerages, to include his own Ray Egan Realty, which he closed recently at the age of 87.

If you were lucky enough to know him, it comes as no surprise that he surrounded himself with the things he fiercely loved: his wife, children and their families, siblings and friends. Whether he was fishing, sitting dockside at Spofford Lake, lounging at home with a cat in his lap and a Moxie in his hand or putt-putting around town in his favorite truck, he was quick with a smile, a wave and a story to tell. Pull up a chair…he loved and deserved an audience. There was never a time you couldn’t call him for help. He’d be on his way in a heartbeat. He was our rock, our protector and our greatest champion.

Among his great achievements in his lifetime, he was incredibly proud of his 49 years of sobriety through AA. Crediting AA with saving his life, he carried his coin everywhere he went.

When diagnosed with brain cancer he rose to the occasion and, not surprisingly, chose to fight. Fight he did and for that we are proud and grateful. His goal was to reach his 89th birthday. We celebrated with him as he reached that milestone. As an avid fisherman, he was looking forward to another summer of boat rides on Spofford Lake as well as visits to his “secret” fishing spots with Rae by his side.

His hugs were legendary and will be sorely missed. With a twinkle in his Irish eyes, and an infectious laugh, he truly was larger than life. Semper Fi.

A celebration of Ray’s life will be held on Monday, May 4th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court St, Keene NH. Military Honors will begin at 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Winchester Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, ℅ Deb Gode, 109 Watson Rd, Winchester, NH 03470 or visit their website: winchesterwildlife.org