He was born in Biddeford on April 9, 1931, the son of the late Arthur R. and Ladora (Miller) Gannon. Ray graduated from Thornton Academy, Class of 1950. He served in the Navy from July 13, 1950 to May 18, 1954, and was a Korean War veteran.
Ray worked for the City of Saco as its assessor from 1966-68. From 1968 to 1973, he performed personal property appraisals all over New England. He then worked in the City of Portland assessor’s office from 1973 to 1984.
Ray started his own business, ARG-Co, as a personal property appraiser, and traveled all over New England serving different communities. In 1990, he gave up all travel outside the state to concentrate on Maine towns and cities. He retired at age 80.
Ray was a life member of the Biddeford-Saco Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks #1597, was a past chairman of the trustees, and was a past chairman of the investigating committee for over 20 years. He was a life member of the American Legion Saco Post 96 in Saco, and a member of Fraternal Order of Eagles Aeries #3792 in Saco, MAAO, Camp Ellis Rod and Gun Club, and NRA.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Bitina Paiva of Taunton, Massachusetts.
He is survived by: his wife of 34 years, Rita (Sherillo) Gannon; daughters Anne Gannon of Saco and Kathy and her husband Bill Eon of Saco; son David and his wife Julie Gannon of Corte Madera, California; sister Sandy Adams of Laconia, New Hampshire; grandchildren Marysa and her husband Anthony Santos of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Hannah Eon of Larkspur, California, Kerry Eon and her fiancé Jake Townsend of Limington, Alex Gannon and Jackie Gannon of Corte Madera, California; great-grandchildren Marianna and Anthony Santos of Longmeadow, Massachusetts; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be 4-8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15, at Dennett, Craig and Pate Funeral Home, 365 Main St., Saco. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco.
Donations in memory of Ray may be made to: Barbara Bush Children Cancer Hospital, Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall St., Portland, ME 04102, or: Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.
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