Obituary of Raymond L. Rashford, Jr.

MUNNSVILLE . . . Raymond L. Rashford, Jr., 63, of 5478 Williams Road, Munnsville, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, August 24, 2018, at Oneida Healthcare, following an apparent heart attack at his home. He was born on April 15, 1955, in Canastota, the son of the late Raymond, Sr. and Irene (Seabrook) Rashford. Ray spent his early years in Canastota, graduating from Canastota High School in 1973, and attended BOCES for Drafting. Ray later lived in Pratts Hollow for 37 years, designing and building a new home in Smithfield five years ago. He worked for Diemolding Corporation in Canastota for 43 years, 9 months and 1 day, retiring on December 21, 2017. Ray was a Tool & Die-Maker, achieving the classification of Master Mold Maker in 1990, which is the highest level of the trade. Ray was Financial Secretary of the United Auto Workers Local #1060 at Diemolding for more than 30 years. He had been active in the former Oneida Moose Club, serving as BINGO chairman for several years. He enjoyed taking care of his home and lawn, camping, traveling, researching his family genealogy, and Facebook, but his most precious times were spent with his family. Ray married Debra A. Gratton on March 27, 1976, in Peterboro. Surviving besides his wife, Debra, are: one son and daughter-in-law, Jacob N. and Jamie C. (Shenk) Rashford of Oneida; one daughter and son-in-law, Vanessa L. and Kenneth H. Woodcock, Jr. of Erieville; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Gail and Richard Banks of Waterloo, and Helen and Henry Seef of Chittenango; one brother and sister-in-law, Brian and Kelly (Yager) Rashford of Spring Hill, FL; five grandchildren, Jaden, Jillianna, and Joniah Rashford, and Connor and Brenna Woodcock; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ray was predeceased by his father, Raymond L. Rashford, Sr.; his mother and step-father, Irene and Kenneth Walker; a brother, Leslie Whitford; a sister, Paula Jean Rashford; and a grandson, Jebediah Rashford. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the J. Homer Ball Funeral Home, Inc., 201 James Street, Canastota, followed by a brief service at 6 p.m. Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday in Stockbridge Cemetery, Munnsville. In his memory, contributions may be made to SEVAC (Smithfield-Eaton Volunteer Ambulance Corp.), PO Box 1030, Cedar Street, Morrisville, NY 13408, with envelopes available at the funeral home. J. HOMER BALL FUNERAL HOME, INC. Canastota, NY A Trust 100 Family Owned Funeral Home