Raymond W. "Ray" Nye Jr.

He was born in Keene, NH, May 06, 1940, the son of Raymond W. and Anna (Stevens) Nye. He grew up in Keene, graduating in 1958 from Keene High School.

He was a Navy veteran serving from August, 1958 until June, 1962, and was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal.

A resident of Fitzwilliam for the past 47 years, Mr. Nye worked at the former C.R. Bard Company in Fitzwilliam and then for over 26 years as a machinist and in quality control with the former Troy Mills in Troy, NH, retiring in 2001.

As a young man, Mr. Nye was active in the Future Farmers of America. His passion in helping others found him volunteering for many years with the Fitzwilliam Fire Department and the Meadowood County Area Fire Department. He was a life member in both departments and was also a longtime member of the Gap Mountain Lions Club and was a recipient of a Granite State Fellow. He was a member of the Plante-Cieslak Post 38 American Legion in Fitzwilliam.

He was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed collecting model trains and taking scenic train rides. He also enjoyed maple sugaring every year. He was known for his daily morning and afternoon coffee visits to Casey J’s and Mamadukes Restaurants in Fitzwilliam and Troy. He especially enjoyed family get-togethers, especially on the 4th of July, and the family camp outs in the back yard.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Nancy (Coles) Nye of Fitzwilliam, three daughters; Cynthia Martin and her husband, Chuck, of Fitzwilliam, Catharine Mills and her husband, Joseph, of Keene, Jennifer Nye and her boyfriend, Bill Vaughn, of Athol, Mass., two sons; Charles Nye and his wife Cheri of Houston, TX, David Nye and his wife, Carrie, of Jaffrey, NH, , his grandchildren; Benjamin Nye, Samantha Wattendorf, Mariah Wattendorf, Jacob Berardi, Courtney Frazier, Ashley Frazier, Dylan Nye, Sarah Nye, Caleb Nye, Hannah Nye, Kristen LeBlanc, Derek Martin, Jared Martin, Samantha Mills, his great-grandchildren; Cecelia Nye, Christopher Nye, Daniel Nye, Kendrah Bower, Ian Governor, Emma Martin, Van Martin, Brooklyn Martin, Isabelle LeBlanc, Lacy LeBlanc, Natalie LeBlanc, a brother, Leonard Nye and his wife, Pam, of Keene, a niece and five nephews.

A graveside service with military honors will be held in the spring in the Village Cemetery, Fitzwilliam. Family and friends are invited to call on Sunday, March 18th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mr. Nye’s memory to the Fitzwilliam Fire Department, Inc., c/o Nancy Carney, Treasurer, PO Box 425, Fitzwilliam, NH 03447-0425.