Raymond J. Haight

Raymond Joesph “Ray” Haight, 74 , a lifelong Salem resident, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday May 22, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. He was a devoted husband of Barbara (Ross) Haight, with whom he shared 51 wonderful years of marriage and raised three children together. Born in Salem on December 28, 1939, he was the son of the late Charles and Margaret Haight. He was raised in Salem and attended Salem Public Schools. Ray worked hard to provide for his family. He was a baker for many years , and a machinist at A.W. Chesterton in Groveland, Ma. He most recently worked for Houseworks as a handyman in his retirement years. As a devoted husband, father and grandfather, Ray dedicated his time to his family. He showed his support by giving encouragement and being involved with driving the drum corps buses, coaching sports, and cheering them on from the sidelines. Ray loved traveling with his wife and family, taking several cruises and even traveling to Hawaii and Europe. He was well-known for his passion for baking, especially his contribution to the annual October fair at the Unitarian Universalist Church where he prepared over 150 apples pies yearly. He was an avid sports fan and a Patriots season ticket holder. He enjoyed traveling to the games in the RV with his family and friends. Ray enjoyed playing darts for a local state champion dart team “The Smokers”. Ray was a longtime member of the North Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Danvers and one of the founders of the Salem Youth Soccer program. As a member of the Polish Club in Danvers, he volunteered his time and was willing to help with any task. Ray was also a member of the Peabody VFW Post 1011 Men’s Auxiliary where he served as the treasurer. Ray was involved in the theatre community. As a volunteer for The North Shore Players, he worked both behind the scenes with set design and lighting as well as performed on stage. For over 25 years both him and his wife Barbara volunteered as ushers at the North Shore Music Theatre. In addition to his wife, he leaves three children, his daughter Heidi (Haight) Raymond and her husband Manuel Raymond III and their children Kayla and Courtney, his son John Haight and his wife Heather (Frieman) Haight and their children Matthew, Cameron, and John Jr. and his son Malcolm Haight and his wife Emily (Rocha) Haight and their children Cynthia, Jane, and Ross, his sister Mary Murray of NH, his beloved nephew William Murray, his foster-son Gary Nicholaides, and Ulrika, the Swedish exchange student who he loved as a daughter. His Funeral Service will be Thursday, May 29, 2014 at 11AM in the Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church, Locust St., Danvers. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Wednesday from 4-8 in C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. Ray’s passion for animals is expressed through his request that in lieu of flowers, donations in Ray’s name may be to the Northeast Animal Shelter 347 Highland Ave Salem, MA 01970, online at northeastanimalshelter.org.