Raymond V. Rhatigan

Raymond V. Rhatigan, a devoted family man, accomplished businessman, and avid golfer, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2025, at the age of 88. Born in Staten Island, NY, on February 6, 1937, Ray lived a life of love, resilience, and humor. In his youth, Ray began his foray into what would become a life-long passion for golf. Ray attended Manhattan College and continued his education in the United States Marine Corps, where he was proud to be the only enlisted man on the Corps golf team.

Ray liked to joke that he dated only three women--and married each of them. Each marriage marked a significant chapter in his life. In 1961, he married Mary Margaret "Jessie" Jesselson. In their brief time together, Ray became a father to Raymond, Ronald and Robert. After Jessie's death in 1968, Ray spent the next two years raising their three young boys on his own. In 1970, Ray married Marilyn Lee "Lynn" Van Buskirk of Montvale, New Jersey, who was raising one son, Deron, and two girls, Kerry and Kimberly, on her own. The union of the six children produced an East Coast version of the Brady Bunch and all the accompanying joys of a bountiful family life. The two would share more than four decades together until Lynn's passing in 2013.

In 2016, Ray found love and companionship again with Janie Espy, who survives him and who brought joy and warmth to his later years--as well as a suite of beloved new family members and grandchildren from Janie's own bountiful life, including daughters Trish Brouillette, Jenny Ragland and her husband Dave, Kim Espy and her husband Paul Kaufmann.

A passionate golfer, Ray was known for remembering all of his good shots and conveniently forgetting the bad ones. Ray travelled the world in pursuit of his passion; one of the "happy places" he reflected on while in hospice was the 17th fairway of Ballybunion Golf Course in Ireland. He was an insightful connoisseur of art, claiming that an approach shot on that same fairway was "as close to beauty as can be comprehended by human consciousness." Another happy place was in the presence of his grandchildren and many friends, who loved him, laughed with him and who miss him dearly.

His love for golf was matched by his business acumen. Ray was a founder of Drew Graphics, the company which allowed his natural curiosity, efficiency and imagination to flourish. One of his daughters-in-law commented, "this factory is cleaner than my kitchen." His efficiency in life was legendary; he explained his empty desk in plain terms: "if something important needs to be done, I do it immediately."

Ray was always ready with an insightful aphorism, observing, "there will always be bumps in the road" but if you "don't get behind the eight ball," and "play with the cards you are dealt" then you can choose the perspective "Life is good." His optimism never wavered. In his final days, his courage, competence, and concern drew his loved ones to him, all of whom were with him during his final days.

Ray was always interested in the world around him. He claimed that in retirement he would confine his volunteer efforts to the "pin placement committee," but actually volunteered at the food bank of Inter Parish Ministries and was on the board of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. A keen political observer, he once stated (circa 1970), "a liberal is someone who strives for a better future; a conservative is someone who prefers the past"-a sentiment he later revised to "a young conservative has no heart; an old liberal has no brain." Whatever label was applied, Ray's hope was that the world would become a better place. His presence made it that way.

Ray leaves behind his sons Deron Dawson and his husband Neil Will of PeachTree City, Georgia; Raymond Rhatigan Jr., and his wife, Susan Lyon of Newton, Massachusetts, and Robert Rhatigan and his wife Cindy, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, as well as two daughters, Kerry Padjen and her husband Jim of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Kimberly Fogarty and her husband Patrick of Westlake, Ohio. He was predeceased by his son Ronald. His legacy continues through his cherished grandchildren: Ryan, Anna, William, and Kathryn Rhatigan; Kaleigh, Brady, and Conor Fogarty; and Janie's granddaughters Gracie and Katie.

A celebration of Ray's life will be held at Anderson Hills Church on Friday, June 13th at 10:00 a.m. with a gathering to follow at Cincinnati Country Club. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to any VNA Hospice in Ray's memory. https://foundation.vnatc.com/donate-now/