Ray Nello Rich

On March 19, 1936, Dunnwoody, Fulton County Georgia, presented us one of Freemasonry’s finest Masons, Worshipful Brother Ray Nello Rich. He was raised and educated in and around Atlanta until the 9th grade, along with his siblings James, Lynne, and Michael .Though just a freshman, he played Varsity Football for Bass High School and was a member of the Georgia State Championship Team in 1950.

Ray’s parents, James and Josephine Rich, bought their first bakery while in Georgia where Ray would work after school. Sometimes they would close the bakery and over the weekend make trips to the West Coast of Florida. They enjoyed Florida so much that in November 1950, they moved to Madeira Beach where Ray’s Dad opened Rich’s Bakery on Gulf Boulevard.

Ray attended St. Petersburg High School from 1951 until 1953 and then transferred to Boca Ciega High School. There he and Carol met in 1954. Carol Thorstensen was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and then her family moved to St Petersburg in 1952. Ray and Carol graduated from “Bogie” in the class of “55”. They were married on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1956.

Ray started work for Frank and Murray (in St. Petersburg), as an auto electrician and carburetor mechanic in 1953 and continued his work there until 1958. In 1958 Ray joined the United States Air Force and became an aircraft and missile electrician at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas. While at Dyess A.F.B., their daughter, Kelley was born in 1960. In 1961 Ray transferred to Lowry A.F.B. in Denver, Colorado and their son, Scott was born in 1962. Ray was Honorably Discharged in April 1963.

They returned to Florida and moved to Pinellas Park. There he went to work for Eastern Airlines in Tampa, in the customer service department. In 1964 their son, Kevin was born. Eastern Airlines ceased to operate in 1989, so Ray went to work as a bus driver for P.S.T.A. for 10 and a half years, retiring in 2000.

Ray Rich was very active with The Thunderbird Youth Football Organization as a coach. He also coached Minor League, Pony League and Colt League Baseball at Davis Field in Pinellas Park, for approximately 9 years while his children were involved in the leagues. As they grew older, he found a passion for puzzles and reading, especially for mystery books, both of which he was often found with unless there was a football game on the telly. Ray was an avid fan of FSU’s Seminoles, and fondly named one of his burgundy town cars “The ‘Nole Mobile”

Ray’s children began families of their own, Kelley marrying John McEntegart, and Kevin marrying Lisa (Johnson) Rich, and so became a grandfather in 1985, he eventually had 6 grandkids; Kristine (McEntegart) Slayton, Bryan McEntegart, Alison Rich, Christopher Wood, Kimberly (McEntegart) Äasen, and Kamrie Rich.

They, in turn, blessed him with the joy of being a great grandfather 8 times over! He is survived by Cypher, Jaylee, Thor, Miranda Jo, Killian, Carson, Ivy, Gunnar, and Finn.

Ray was preceded in death by his son, Scott Rich; his wife, Carol Irene Rich; his parents, James and Josephine Rich; his siblings, Lynn, Mike, and Jim Rich; his nieces, Lisa Rich and Michelle (Rich) Baker, and many beloved friends.

He is survived by his other two children and their spouses, Kelley and John McEntegart, Kevin and Lisa Rich, and all of his aforementioned grandchildren, their spouses, and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Peggy Rich, niece Mindy Lambert, and dear friends Tom and Karen Quay, Mona and Betty, Walter and Linda Sneddon, John and Jean Weir, of Scotland.

Ray’s fondness of reading and traveling were passed onto his children and their families, and his stories are remembered with love and laughter.