Grafton – Raymond E. Stark, 89, passed away peacefully Jan. 26, 2019, surrounded by loved ones, at his home. He was the last, original homeowner of Kaye Circle, still residing there.
Ray was born and raised in Boylston. He moved to North Grafton in the mid-1950s to raise his family and work at Wyman Gordons, where he worked for over 42 years. He was devoted to his wife, Elizabeth A. McQuoid, who passed away in 2004.
Ray enlisted in the Massachusetts National Guard and the Naval Reserves. Ray was proud to be a direct descendant of Gen. John Stark of New Hampshire who fought in the Revolutionary War and coined the phrase “Live Free or Die.” He was a volunteer of the Grafton Senior Center and, more recently, a 10-year volunteer at UMass Memorial Medical Center.
He leaves his four children and their spouses, Joan Stark (Peter) Stark-Cornetta of North Grafton, James (Delores) Stark of Oxford, Paula (Michael) Gorrell of Clinton, and William (Donna) Stark of Auburn; three grandchildren, Amy, James, and Patricia; and four great-grandchildren, Deja, Paulo, Gabriella, and Samuel. He also leaves a sister, Barbara Thomson of Florida; a brother, Robert Stark of Boylston; and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Arthur and Mildred Stark of Boylston, he was predeceased by his brothers, Kenneth and Richard Stark.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the professional and caring staffs of Family Tree and VNA Hospice.
Services will be private for family at Roney Funeral Home in North Grafton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice or, to honor Ray, pay it forward with an act of kindness.
