Raymond E. Plue Jr.

Born on August 2, 1948 in Danbury, Connecticut, son of the late Raymond Plue Sr. and Mary Plue O’Reilly, Ray spent much of his life in Danbury, New Fairfield, and New Milford, Connecticut where he created a home with his beloved wife, Rosemary. Ray positively impacted the lives of family, friends, and all those he met through his spirit and love of life.

Ray graduated from Danbury High School and attended Western Connecticut State University before being drafted to the military where he served his country in Vietnam. He was discharged in 1970 and received the Purple Heart and Medal of Heroism.

After his return from Vietnam, Ray began his lifelong career maintaining power lines in various capacities throughout Connecticut and embarked on his long-time passion for music, which began at the age of 13 when he used a pair of knitting needles and a tin coffee can to perfect his drumming skills in the household kitchen on Elm Street in Danbury.

In 1970, Ray formed his first band, Franklyn Circle, and went on to become the lead singer and drummer of the band Higher & Higher for 40+ years and ended his career playing with Perfect Timing. He collaborated with many musicians and touched thousands of lives by playing weddings, celebrations, charity, and memorial events. Ray was honored to have played for the troops throughout Vietnam during his military service and to sing the national anthem each Memorial Day on the New Milford town green.

He is survived by his wife: Rosemary Plue; his sisters: Valerie Plue and Tom Mack, Darlene “Dee” and Tim Lohnes, Terry Plue and William Kazimir; his brother, Edward “Zack” and Scott Campbell; his daughters: Brittany and Troy Walton and Jondelle “JJ” Plue; his sons, Shannon Plue, Raymond Plue and his fiancé, Elizabeth Barker, Chris Robbins, Michael Robbins, and Brian Robbins; his grand-children: Drew Walton, Enrique “Ricky” Rivera, Ray Ray and Riley Plue, and Lawrence Roccamo; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; as well as, two family dogs: Casey and Cassidy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00am on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at St. Peter Church, Danbury, with the Rev. Gregg Mecca, Pastor, officiating. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Friends will be received from 4pm-8pm on Monday, June 5, 2017 at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ray’s memory may be made to the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital, c/o Office of Development, POB 1849, New Haven, CT 06508 of to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), POB 310909, Newington, CT 06131.