Raymond Joseph Gorham

(Jan. 5, 1936 – Aug. 24, 2011)

Raymond Joseph Gorham of Torrance, California, passed away peacefully at sunrise on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 surrounded by family at Torrance Memorial Hospital following a short illness. Ray was 75 years young, though he would never admit it.

Ray was a devoted father and is survived by his children: Christine Middleton of Victorville, CA, Matthew Gorham of Redondo Beach, CA, and Susanne Stec of Tucson, AZ; his four grandchildren, Leah and Amanda Middleton and Delaina and Nolan Stec; his half-brother Bill Gorham and his wife Jan of Fort Pierce FL and his favorite brother-in-law, James A. MacKenzie of New Canaan, CT.; and seven nephews and a niece who consider Ray more as their "big brother." He was pre-deceased by his beloved sister, Joan Gorham MacKenzie.

A native son of Brooklyn, New York, Ray was raised in the borough's East Flatbush neighborhood as the second child of Raymond and Agnes Gorham. He joined the United States Marine Corps (USMC) at 17 years of age. He attained the rank of Sergeant in proud service to his country as part of the 2nd Amphibious Reconnaissance Company during his enlistment that he credited with providing him impeccable lifelong direction and guidance. Following an honorable discharge from the USMC, Ray embarked on a successful career in sales. A man of boundless energy, he never retired, nor did he ever plan to.

Ray moved to the Los Angeles area in 1964 and considered his new home state paradise, and especially enjoyed anything involving the Pacific Ocean. An unabashed lover of all things gambling, Ray never met a casino or a racetrack he didn't consider his own private playground. The consummate tour guide, Ray never missed a chance to host visitors to California, a racetrack or Las Vegas.

Dating to his boyhood days, Ray was a diehard Dodger's fan on both coasts. He maintained his fierce loyalty literally until his dying day, listening to his team play their best game of the 2011 season and soundly defeating the St. Louis Cardinals by a score of 13-2 shortly before he passed away.

Ray will always be remembered for his youthful enthusiasm for life, his constant smile and irrepressible laugh, and his quick words of kindness for everyone – family, friend and stranger alike. As he was fond of saying: "Hope you are having a real nice day, and don't forget to give somebody a real big smile." That was Ray. We cried the day he passed and we miss him, but we will never forget our Ray.

Ray was interred with military honors near his sister on a gentle hillside under a large shade tree at Lakeview Cemetery (http://newcanaancemetery.com/) in New Canaan, Connecticut on a lovely New England Summer Saturday, September 17, 2011.

Donations may be made to Ray's favorite charity:

Children's Hospital of Los Angeles

4650 Sunset Boulevard, MS#29

Los Angeles, CA 90027 (http://www.chla.org/site/c.ipINKTOAJsG/b.3579211/k.EA63/Make_a_Tribute_Gift.htm)