Raymond Paul Abraham

Raymond Paul Abraham of Cape Coral, FL died peacefully in Glastonbury, CT on September 8, 2022. Ray was born November 9, 1938, in Worcester, MA and raised in Norwich. After his high school days at Norwich Free Academy, he attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute and earned a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering. After graduation he had a Major League baseball try-out with the Washington Senators. That same year, 1960, he married Patricia Brown, who remained a good friend over the course of his life. They had two daughters, Leslie Galbraith (Barrett) of Glastonbury, CT and Lynn Abraham (John) of Waterford, CT.

While at Worcester Tech, Ray was a member of the varsity baseball team for four years and co-captain his senior year, president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity his junior year, and treasurer of the Athletic Council his senior year. He received varsity letters for baseball while at NFA and Worcester Tech.

Before returning to Norwich in 1964, Ray was employed by Hazeltine Corporation of Little Neck, NY and General Dynamics Astrionics Division at Cape Kennedy, FL as an Electrical Design Engineer. He and his wife Patricia operated Al Abraham's Appliance store in partnership with his parents until 1986, and then with Patricia until 1991. Ray operated Abraham's Appliance and TV Service Company until 2008. Ray was always ready to help a customer day or night and could be counted on to tackle any repair job.

Ray was an active enthusiast of local sports, playing basketball and baseball in the Norwich Senior Leagues and sponsoring local teams for many years. He was inducted into the Norwich Sports Hall of Fame. Ray was State Director of the Montville Jaycees and second term President of the Norwich Chapter of the Television Service Association of CT, President of the Norwich Downtown Lions Club, and President of Pautipaug Country Club in 1979 and 1980. He qualified as a lifetime member of Mohegan Sun Country Club at Pautipaug and enjoyed many rounds of golf there and at Cape Coral Golf Club with his brother and other dear friends.

In 1986, he married Dorothy Mucci and continued to reside in Oakdale, CT. In 2007, he moved to Willimantic, CT with his dear friend Mona Thibodeau who passed away on her birthday in 2012.

He loved his daughters and his lovely granddaughter, Catherine Galbraith, and Dorothy's granddaughters Hannah Mendillo (Kyle) and Madisyn Erb (Jacob).

Ray enjoyed many winters playing golf and living with his brother, Don in Cape Coral, FL. He treasured the company of friends and family and would always greet them with an easy, warm smile – toolbox (or at least an electric meter) close at hand.

Ray was predeceased by his father, Alexander and his mother, Sophie (Haggar) Abraham and is survived by his sister Theresa and her husband Frank Christina of Fort Myers, FL as well his brother Donald and his wife Patricia of Niantic, CT. Ray is also survived by his extended family, Todd and Angela Erb of Waterford. He also leaves many nephews and their families.

Ray drafted this obituary at his family’s request in 2013 and they are glad for all to see the things that he was most proud of and held dear.

In Ray’s memory, give someone a warm smile and your full attention - spread some kindness and enjoy an ice cream cone. In lieu of flowers, feel free to make a donation in his memory to a charity of your choice.

Family and friends may visit Labenski Funeral Home, 107 Boswell Ave, Norwich on Friday, September 16, 2022 from 10:30 – 11:30 AM with a short service to follow.