Ray Barron, 93, of Nahant, founder of marketing firm
Ray Barron of Nahant, a World War II veteran and president and founder of marketing consulting company Barron, Hillman and Mellnick, died Sunday at Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford. He was 93.
He was born in Boston as Joseph Barisano.
He began to use the professional name of Ray Barron at age 16 during his career as a musician and orchestra leader.
Mr. Barron was an Army veteran of World War II who served in Europe.
He lived in New York City during the early years of his music career and was a drummer and pianist.
He was a marketing instructor at the New England School of Art and Design for more than a decade and served as a member of the school’s board of directors.
Mr. Barron was a prolific writer, television and radio commentator, lecturer and mentor to many, including George Regan, the founder, chairman and president of Boston’s Regan Communications.
He was a lifelong resident of Nahant, the public relations director of the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Boston and a columnist for the North End Post Gazette.
Husband of the late Marilyn for 49 years, he is survived by two daughters, Robin Waters of Swampscott and her husband Paul, and Karen Barisano Gordinas of Nahant; two sisters, Eve Barisano and Joan DiCenso and her husband Sal of East Boston; a granddaughter, a grandson, a great-granddaughter and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Nahant, to be followed by celebration of a funeral Mass.
Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Nahant.
Arrangements by Solimine Funeral Home, Lynn.