Raymond Minnucci, a longtime resident of Southborough, passed away peacefully at his home on September 1st, 2024, at the age of 91, surrounded by his loving wife, Betty (Merloni), and family. Born on December 3rd, 1932, in Fayville, he was the son of Ignazio and Antonetta (Giove) Minnucci.
Raymond was one of 10 children and is predeceased by his older brother Celio of Fayville; Thomas and his wife, Barbara; Ernest and his wife, Deloris; Mary Moore and her husband, Carl; William and his wife, Ruth, all of Marlborough; brother-in-law John Putnam of Grafton; and sister-in-law, Nancy Minnucci, wife of C. John Minnucci of Upton. He is also predeceased by his nephew, John Minnucci of Framingham.
Raymond leaves behind his devoted wife of 60 years, Elizabeth (Betty) Minnucci, his children, James and his wife Elizabeth, and Elizabeth (Beth) and her wife Laura, as well as his three cherished grandchildren, Caroline, Marybeth, and Emma Minnucci. He is also survived by his siblings: C. John of Westboro; Rudolph and his wife, Moira, of Shrewsbury; Esther Putnam of Grafton; and Olivio and his wife, Virginia, of Framingham as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
Raymond attended Peter’s High School in Southborough, graduating in 1950, and went on to study Mathematics and Engineering at Northeastern University. During his high school years, he was a proud member of the Peter’s High Basketball Team, earning the honor of playing at the famed Boston Garden.
Raymond served his country in the United States Army, spending two years in Korea, and was a standing member of the Southborough American Legion Post 0161. For many years, he delivered and recited the poem “In Flanders Fields” during the Memorial Day observance at the war memorial in Southborough.
He had a fulfilling career as the Sales Manager at Wellesley Crane Company in Southborough, where he worked for over 20 years. Raymond was an avid golfer and regularly played with his brothers Rudolph (Rudy) and Olivio, as well as his friend Robert Delarda. He was also an outdoorsman, enjoying many years of fishing and hunting with his father-in-law, James Merloni, and his extended family. He enjoyed many years of vacationing with family at White Horse Beach in Plymouth and Biddeford Pool Beach in Maine.
Visiting hours will be held at Morris-Johnston Funeral Home, 40 Main Street, Southborough, MA, on Sunday, September 8, 2024, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 10:30 am at St. Anne’s Church, 20 Boston Road, Southborough, MA, with burial to follow at Rural Cemetery, Southborough, MA.
(Photo and Obituary via Morris-Johnston Funeral Home.)
I have much admiration and respect for Rays service to our country and our small town community. His ability to recite “ In Flanders Fields “ by memory was always impressive. May he rest in peace.