Raymond E Wakefield Sr

Raymond E. Wakefield Sr. 

(February 14, 1940 – April 27, 2024)

Ray passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 27, 2024. He is survived by his children, Deborah & Tim Murphy, Raymond Jr. & Jane Wakefield, Daniel & Sabrina Wakefield, and Yvonne Wakefield-Smith & Bob Greenman, and his sister Laura Slater; by his many grandchildren: Theresa Martinez, Tyler & Colleen Murphy, Brett Murphy, Lindsay Wakefield, Elizabeth Jackson, Tony Wakefield, Heather & Leroy Diamond, Nichole Wakefield, Austin Wakefield, Dakota Wakefield, Luke Smith, Aimee Greenman and Dalton Greenman, along with many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ray was predeceased by his wife Patricia Wakefield, his parents, Carleda & Laurence Wakefield, his siblings, Dick Wakefield, Jim Wakefield, Dorothy (Susie) Young.

Ray spent his early years working at farms around the area, with fond memories of his time spent at the Round Barn Farm in Greene. In 1960, Ray began his employment at the NYSDOT in Oxford and was there until his retirement. During this time, Ray had many side businesses, a garbage route, painting and repairing cars, thawing pipes and more. He was always busy. Ray loved playing guitar with his family and in a country band ‘The Country Pleasures’.

After Ray’s retirement, he and his wife had an ice cream business and then a flea market. They both enjoyed this time, with drives to the Adirondacks and trips to purchase items, usually tractors. He loved tractors, to fix and sell, or keep.

Ray was hard-working, generous and kind. He loved and valued family above all else and went out of his way to help all of them whenever needed. Ray always saw the best in people. He will be missed by all that knew him.

Special thanks to Binghamton General Palliative care unit for giving him comfort in his last days.

There will be a private family service at his request.