Raymond Miles McCrea
1924-2013

Raymond M. McCrea FORT FAIRFIELD - Raymond M. McCrea, 88, husband of the late Margery L. McCrea, passed away unexpectedly Easter Sunday morning, March 31, 2013, at a Caribou health care facility. He was born Sept. 23, 1924, in Andover, New Brunswick, Canada the son of Bruce and Ruby (Wark) McCrea. Raymond was a graduate of Fort Fairfield High School, class of 1942 and went on to serve his country with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He was married to Margery L. Osgood Jan. 31, 1946, and had been self-employed as a potato farmer in Fort Fairfield for many years. Mr. McCrea had been an accomplished baseball player at Fort Fairfield High School and was known as "Big Poison" by his fellow team members. Baseball became a lifelong passion for Raymond and he enjoyed the distinction of being chosen by Maine Veteran's Home to deliver the opening pitch for the Caribou Little League season in 2012. He will be remembered by his family as the "Yankee fan with the Red Sox heart." He also enjoyed basketball, being a Celtics fan. Raymond and Margery had resided in Mohegan Lake, N.Y., for 15 years, then moved back to Fort Fairfield in the early 1990's and had attended Easton Wesleyan Church. He had been a resident of Leisure Village, Presque Isle, for two years and at the time of his death resided at Caribou Maine Veteran's Home. Although farming and baseball were two of Raymond's passions, his greatest enjoyment came from his family and spending time with them whenever possible. In addition to his parents, Raymond was predeceased by his wife, Margery on Aug. 12, 2004; and two brothers, Harold and Tom McCrea. He is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Ricky and Cheryl McCrea of Mahopac, N.Y.; three daughters and sons-in-law, Becky and John Griffeth of Caribou, Carla and Ray Obar of White River Junction, Vt., and Kris and Andy Scrutchfield of Portland; three brothers and sister-in-law, Dallas McCrea of Presque Isle, Philip and Gayle McCrea and Ronnie McCrea, all of California; sister and brother-in-law, Marge and Jan Boyer of Wyoming, R.I.; 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Tuesday April 2, at Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield. The funeral service will be conducted 11 a.m. Wednesday April 3, at the funeral home with Pastor Dr. Jan Boyer officiating. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments will be held after the service at Veterans of Foreign Wars Paul Lockhart Post Number 6187, Presque Isle Street, Fort Fairfield. Interment with military honors will take place later in the spring at Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in memory of Mr. McCrea to Maine Veterans Home, 163 Van Buren Road, Caribou, ME 04736, to be used for their activity program. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.gibersondorseyfuneralhome.com. Published in BDN Maine on April 2, 2013