Royce Sr., Raymond P
"If Dad could live on love alone, he would live forever" (M. Ridley)
Great men are known and admired, and often become the model by which others are measured. (unknown) If asked to identify a great, loving man, Raymond Philip Royce Sr. would instantly come to mind as a measuring stick for all men to aspire to. Raymond passed in peace on January 9th, surrounded by his loved ones. Ray, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, Uncle Red, had 95 years to show his family what faith, hard work, success, but most importantly, what love is. Married for 69 years, he and his wife, Anna Welz Royce, raised a family of six children in Windsor, CT. They are Raymond Jr. and wife, Donna, of Norwich, VT, Jeffrey Sr. of Norwich, VT, Gregory and wife, Yvonne, of Colchester, CT, Gary Sr., Carol and husband, Arthur Owen (previously deceased), of Newbury, VT, and Jane and husband, Michael Ridley, of Colchester, CT. Ray also leaves behind his eleven grandchildren, Jeffrey and wife, Susan, Michael and wife, Jackie, Gary Jr., Samantha, Kevin and wife Jessica, Stacy and husband, Fred Schwab III, Kelly and husband, Jeff Bachiochi, Shaun, Jonathan, Samantha Jo, and Spencer, and seven beautiful great granddaughters, Emma, Mickayla, Caitlyn, Allison, Adelyn, Paige and Abigail. There are also several nieces and nephews, too numerous to count.
Ray was born February 2, 1927, to Andrew and Mabel Royce and grew up in Windsor, CT with his four siblings, all previously deceased. He enlisted during World War II and served as a Navy pharmacist mate. Returning to his hometown he worked at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. Ray worked there for 40 years as a supervisor of engine testing before retiring in 1987. It was there he met Anna and married on May 9, 1953. Together they raised their family and were always there for their children's baseball games, recitals, and vacation trips to Vermont, where he taught his children to hunt and fish.
Ray and Anna moved to Vermont in 1987, to Beaver Meadow in Norwich They became avid golfers and also got involved with the Beaver Meadow Chapel. Ray served as president of the chapel for 25+ years. They also ran the Norwich Five Churches' Rummage Sale for 25 years, an event which became a family affair with all children and grandchildren helping out.
Ray became a member of the American Legion Post #8 in Norwich and remained a member for 33 years, serving as Chaplain for several years. He was also a Norwich Lion, serving as King Lion from 1995-1997 and District 45 zone chairman from 1992-1994. In 1998 he received the highest award that the Lions Club can present - the Melvin Jones Award.
In 2019 Ray and Anna received the Micah Honor from the United Valley Interfaith Organization for their service to the community, and in 2020 the stewards of Norwich Award from the Norwich Women's Club. Ray was a rich man because of all the love in his life. Calling hours are 10-12 and 2-5 on Saturday, January 21st at the Beaver Meadow Chapel in Norwich with a funeral on Sunday at 1:00. We encourage carpooling as parking will be tight. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Beaver Meadow Chapel, c/o Donna Wheeler 3322 Beaver Meadow Road, Sharon, VT 05055, the Norwich Lions Club P.O. Box 854 Norwich, VT 05055 or the American Legion Post #8 P.O. Box 324 Norwich, VT 05055.
An online guest book is available to leave a message of condolence for Ray's family by visiting www.rickerfuneralhome.com.