Raymond A Phelan,
A Mass of Christian burial for Raymond A. Phelan will be celebrated on Saturday, June 14, at 9:00am in St. Paul’s Basilica Church with the Reverend Frank Zammit officiating. Ray died peacefully at his home after a short illness, surrounded by his wife and children on June 10. He was 77. Born in Queens into a strong Irish Catholic family, his father, grandfather and uncles were in the New York City Police Department and nurtured Ray’s service-oriented life.
Ray served in the United States Army in France in the finance department which strengthened his innate talent and led him to a financial career. He then graduated from the University of Florida in 1962 and earned his Certified Public Accounting Certificate less than a year later.
Ray’s continuous acts of kindness and steadfast work ethic touched thousands of lives through his accounting business which he started in Daytona in 1964. His professional knowledge and unwavering faith in God were a blessing to all who knew and worked with him.
Ray married his college sweetheart Margaret at St. Paul’s Catholic Church where he is a member. He was a past member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church for many years and served as president of the Parish Council and president of the Board of Education. Ray taught an accounting class at Daytona State College, served on the Board of Directors for the County Library System, and was Chairman of the Budget Committee for the City of Daytona Beach. Ray was honored for mentoring many future business students from Seabreeze High School and Bethune Cookman College.
As a longtime member of the Daytona Kiwanis Club, Ray served as Treasurer and President. The American Institute of Certified Public Accounting awarded Ray a Lifetime Membership designation. Other professional memberships include the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Financial Planning Association, and the Volusia County Chapter of CPAs, serving as President. Family, clients and friends were blessed by Ray’s strength of character, strong values and absolute integrity. He devoted his life to God, his beloved wife Margaret, and his family. He enjoyed family ball games, relaxing in his backyard and playing the piano.
He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his wife Margaret of 54 years, sons and daughters Michael Raymond, Susan Marie, Stephen Raymond, Kevin Raymond, Kathleen Marie, Jean Marie, Dan Raymond, Mark Raymond, and fourteen grandchildren. He is survived as well by his sister Ruth A. Phelan and his brother Steve Phelan.
The family will receive visitors in the church foyer immediately following the Mass and invite everyone to the reception in the Fireplace Room at the church. Memorial gifts in Ray’s memory may be made to the charity of your choice.
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