Raymond W Penfold Jr

On Sat., Dec.10, Ray crossed the finish line to his final victory. Ray succumbed to a recent decline in health and passed away at home with family. All though it may take him a while to earn those angel wings there’s no doubt that heaven will know he’s arrived!

Ray was born on Nov.16, 1927 in Portland, the only child of Ray Sr. and Helene DeWever Penfold. They resided in So. Paris for a short time before moving to So. Portland where Ray grew up and attended local schools, excelling in music, dance, theatre and all sports, & then went on to graduate from MCI, Pittsfield. He immediately enlisted in the US Navy and while attending the Naval Academy Prep School, Ray won the Light Heavyweight Boxing Championship and played football for the Bainbridge Commodores.

Ray was a young man with many talents. He became a photographer for Columbia Studios where his duties included escorting their visiting starlets to Old Orchard Beach for dancing on the pier in the heyday of the Big Band Era. He always remembered those fun times.

With a desire to work for himself, Ray began his successful career as an entrepreneur with Penfold Trucking Co. and Ra-Ma Equipment based in Pittston for many years before moving the business to Portland in 1977 where he operated the Exit 7 Truck Stop and made Yarmouth his home. In 1985 founded his current family business VIP Tour & Charter Bus Co.

His need for speed & passion for racing led him to a lifetime of stock car racing spanning 60 years, winning a track championship at Wiscasset in 1971 & 1985, forming Penfold Motorsports with son Bill, and competing in the NASCAR North Series, ending with a local mud truck racing championship at age 83!

Ray was charming & persuasive with a deep, rich voice, hearty laugh and a larger than life presence that would fill the room. He had a persevering spirit, determination & tenacity that lives on in his children whom he was extremely proud of and close to.

Ray was predeceased by his former wives, Lorraine Cummings, Roberta Penfold & Martha Penfold and his sons Gary Cummings & Ray Penfold III.

He is survived by his wife Pat Penfold of 31 years, his children Bill Penfold, Oxford, Mark Cummings, Bath, Jay Cummings (Cindy), Dresden, Lana Sawyer (Norman), Yarmouth, Eileen Pacy (Bruce), Kensington, NH, Maureen Davis (Owen), Yarmouth, 8 grandchildren several great grandchildren, extended family, friends & beloved pets.

All are welcomed to a Celebration of Ray’s Life on Sun. 12/18/16 at 2:00pm at the Yarmouth Amvets Hall, North Rd.