Raymond James Larsen

Raymond James Larsen, artist and reporter, was the winner of the 1970 Pulitzer Prize for Meritorious Public Service with fellow members of Investigative Team at Newsday on Long Island. After a successful career in journalism, including serving as editor at Worcester Gazette and Iron Age, he became a full-time artist blacksmith.

Ray was the loving husband of the recently deceased Joan Norris for 50 years and leaves behind son Mark Fellenz and his partner Gwen Wilmes, daughters Jennifer Fellenz, Mareike Larsen, and Kristina Wiltey, as well as granddaughter Jessica Wiltey, her partner David Cassidy and their son Connor. He was the son of the late Raymond and Irene Larsen. He was predeceased by his sister Cynthia Larsen.

In addition to the Pulitzer, Ray won other journalism awards, including the New York Publishers Association Award for Public Service (2), and the George Polk Memorial Prize, among others. He taught Blacksmithing workshops at Genuine Forgery, a company he founded, as well as at the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts and the School of Artisanry at Boston University. An exhibition of his art was shown at the Maine Maritime Museum, in Bath, ME. In addition to forging and carving what he described as “enhanced tools,” he forged thousands of tools for wood workers and ship builders. He also filled special orders, for instance, when the Hanover Historical Society was in need of a key for the Stetson House.

Born in Springfield, MA, he attended Wilbraham Academy and Springfield College. He is the author of Tool Making for Woodworkers, and contributed articles to American Craft, Fine Woodworking, Chronicle, and Early American Industries.

Memorial donations may be made in Ray’s name to charities helping immigrants during these turbulent times.