Raymond E. Beattie

Raymond E. Beattie, 91, of Coventry, RI and North Fort Myers, FL passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, September 8, 2021 while surrounded by his family.  He was the son of Manual and Melvina (Lavoie) Beattie.  Ray is predeceased by two loving wives, Emilia “Millie” (Zaborski), his wife of 43 years before she lost her battle with cancer and Sara (Sinnott), his wife of 23 years who passed in 2020 (not due to covid).  He enjoyed travelling around the U.S. and spending winters in Florida.  He was a family man, a man of faith, and liked the simple things in life.

He is survived by his son, Raymond E. Beattie Jr. and his wife Karen, daughter Carolyn A. Lamothe and her husband Brian; stepdaughter Diane M. Rogers and her husband Kevin F. Smith.  Grandchildren Michelle L. Beattie; David J. Lamothe and his fiancé Aby Rose Amaral; Kyle R. Beattie and his fiancé Chelsea Vallee; and Kerri L. Lamothe.  Step-grandchildren Sarah C. Calapai; Giovan B. Calapai; and Catherine M. Calapai.  Great-grandchildren Gabriella, Natalia and Siena Calapai.  Ray loved watching his grandchildren’s sporting events, usually as he walked up and down the side-line.  He was proud of their achievements and enjoyed watching them grow up.  He never missed sending a birthday card, often under-lining certain words for emphasis.  He was happiest when surrounded by family.

Ray was the oldest of five children, having three brothers:  Leon (deceased) and wife Shirley Beattie of Warwick; Robert Beattie and his wife Virginia from Missouri; Richard Beattie and wives Lena (deceased) and Nancy from Arizona; and one sister Beatrice St. George and husband Robert (deceased) of West Warwick.  He is survived by brother in-law James Sinnott of Coventry and sister-in-law Margaret “Peggy” (Sinnott) Alves of West Warwick.  Ray has many nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and nephews who loved him.

He is a US Navy veteran, having served aboard the USS Columbus during the Korean War.  He received the US Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award.  Ray attended, then organized many of the USS Columbus ship reunions along the east coast.  He is a retired Supervisor Personnel Staffing Specialist for the federal government and also sold real estate for Lancaster Realty, which was owned by his sister-in-law Lena.

Ray loved to golf, watch the Red Sox and participate in all kinds of sports and sporting events.  He was particular about the rules of the game, whatever the game may be.  He officiated many different Rhode Island high school sports and state championship football, basketball and softball games, even getting to referee alongside his son Ray Jr.  He was a long-time coach and Past President of Coventry Babe Ruth Baseball League as well as having coached CYO basketball.  He has received many awards and honors, including being inducted into the RI Interscholastic League Hall of Fame; RI Board 84 Basketball Official’s Hall of Fame; Providence Grid Iron Hall of Fame; CBOA Honorary Life Member; National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame; Pawtuxet Valley CYO Man of the Year; and RI Babe Ruth League District 2 Man of the Year.

Ray was an active resident of the Six Lakes Country Club community in North Fort Myers, Florida where he enjoyed golfing and bingo with his wife Sara.  We all know Sara did not golf, but she did play bingo and loved going to lunch and shopping at Bell’s.  He was a communicant of St Peter and Paul Church in West Warwick, Rhode Island as well as St Therese Church in North Fort Myers, Florida.  He was a member of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church in Coventry, Rhode Island for many years.

Ray liked to part company by saying:  Goodbye, good luck, and may the good Lord take a liking to you!

His funeral will be held Monday, September 13, 2021 at 11:00 am from the PRATA-GALLOGLY Funeral Home, 78 Providence Street, West Warwick followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 pm in Our Lady of Czenstochowa Church, 445 Washington Street, Coventry.  Interment with military honors will be in St. Mary Cemetery, West Warwick.  Visiting hours Sunday, 3:00-6:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers, contributions to Visiting Nurse Home & Hospice, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871 in his memory would be appreciated.  Information and condolences please visit: www.PrataGallogly.com

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