Conneaut- Raymond L. Burlingham, 79, passed away peacefully at his home, Sunday, March 26, 2023, surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born on December 1, 1943, in Conneaut, Ohio the son of Kenneth and Lena (nee: Brewer) Burlingham. Ray graduated from Conneaut High School Class of 1961. He was a proud US Navy veteran, serving during the Vietnam Era from 1961-1964 as an underwater demolition diver. He always said his oath of enlistment had no expiration date. Ray was employed as a structural repairman at the P & C Dock Company, retiring in 2003 after 40 years of service.

Ray was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, and enjoyed helping with church activities, including parking cars during the D-Day reenactment. He also enjoyed being a part of the Optimist Club. Ray especially cherished being a part of his grandchildren's lives, attending their many activities and sporting events. He enjoyed traveling on family road trips to New York, Canada, Hawaii and attending USS Eldorado reunions. Ray also enjoyed traveling with his wife, Gail and friends to OBX, Niagara on the Lake, Maine and Sedona, Arizona. He was an excellent woodworker and loved collecting and watching Eagles. He had a special spot in his heart for animals, and always had a pet or two at home.

Ray will be dearly missed by his wife, Gail S. (nee: Williams) Burlingham, whom he married on June 19, 2004; daughters, Lori (Jerry Sr.) Oroszy and Linda (Jack) Curtis; bonus children, Cliff Barnes and David (Christine Gaskell) Barnes; grandchildren, Jerry Jr., Theresa , John, James, Ryan (Kayla Troyer) , Ashley, Brandy, Jacob and Alyssa; great-grandchildren, Joseph, Arianna, James, Xavier, Xena, Margaret, Kenny, Kimmie and Ashleayn; and many dear nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Mary Lou (nee: Lyon) Burlingham in 2002; sister and brother-in-law, Corine and Lee Oehlenschlager; and his brother, Richard Burlingham.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, March 30, 2023, from 2-4PM and 6-8PM at the Thompson-Smith-Nesbitt Funeral Home, 345 Main St., Conneaut.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023 at 11AM with a calling hour prior to the service at the funeral home, with Rev. Joshua Krenz, of Good Shephard Lutheran Church, officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memory Gardens, where American Legion Cowle Post #151, will perform military honors.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions in his name may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve 1166 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, Ohio, 44004 or the Ashtabula APL, 5970 Green Rd., Ashtabula, Ohio, 44004.

The family would like to express their extreme gratitude to Ray's home health aides and the care givers at Hospice of the Western Reserve for the care they provided during his last days.

Online guestbook and condolences available at www.thompsonsmithnesbitt.com