Raymond P. Wickham

Raymond P. Wickham, 87, of East Hartford, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 15, 2010. Raymond was born in Hartford on April 24, 1923 to the late Raymond E. and Lalia (Bowden) Wickham of West Hartford. He is survived by his devoted wife Elisabeth (Salzer) Wickham of East Hartford.

Ray served in the Marine Corps during WWII, stationed in Hawaii after Pearl Harbor. In the 1950’s he was as an attachment commander of the Marine Corps league.

He lived in New York for 13 years, returning to Connecticut in 1972 to work on a contract for Badge Readers at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford. Ray was then employed by Underwood, Commercial Controls, Friden, Singer International and TRW, until his retirement in 1990. Throughout Ray’s life, he had always enjoyed gardening, growing flowers and vegetables. Nearing retirement, he joined a wood carving group in Wethersfield.

In addition to his loving wife, Elisabeth of 63 years, he will be dearly missed by his three daughters, Margo Wickham of New Britain, Carol Barton and her husband Wallace Jr. of Andover, Diane Rue and her husband William of Simsbury and his son, Edward Wickham of East Harford. He is also survived by a sister in-law: Jesse Saxton and her husband William of Farmington, his grandchildren, Laurie Rue, Wallace Barton and Robert Rue, his two great grandchildren, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ray is predeceased by his sister and her husband Edna and Kenneth Grant. The Wickham family would like to thank the Riverside Convalescent home staff for their support and care during Ray’s stay.

Funeral services will begin Thursday, November 18th, 2010 at 10:30 am, followed by a Prayer Service at 11:00am at Newkirk and Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Ave., East Hartford. Burial with full military honors will follow in Silverlane Cemetery, Veterans Field, East Hartford. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, November 17th from 6 to 9 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Please visit the attached links for directions or to express condolences to the family.