Raymond H. Spooner Jr.

Merrimack - Raymond H. Spooner Jr., 85, passed peacefully on December 12, 2025. His children and caring friends were with him during his transition. Ray is now with Susan, his very special wife of 54 years, who passed in 2017. Raymond, known as Ray, was born in Boston, MA to Raymond H. Spooner, MD and Kathleen Arnold Spooner. He was the second of three children, raised with his older sister Gail and younger brother Jonathan in East Douglas, MA. While Ray enjoyed skiing, boating, and the outdoors from a young age, he was happiest when he was fixing or building something. Ray rebuilt the engine of his old Austin as a teen, and an early mechanical endeavor captured in the town newspaper was to repair the steeple clock in the East Douglas Congregational Church. Ray carried this natural talent through life. While working with wood or metal he would often design and build jigs and tools to make the work easier. Betsy and Tim were raised helping to change the family cars' brake pads and oil, making repairs - activities often punctuated with colorful language. Ray’s life lessons for them were largely centered around practical skills like painting, using power tools, wiring and plumbing, and gas welding. Ray studied Physics at Bates College for several semesters but he would tell you that his major accomplishment at Bates was meeting a wonderful woman, his future wife, Susan Elizabeth Bates. After Sue’s 1963 graduation, Ray returned from Navy boot camp where they married at the Bates chapel on campus. They moved to Groton, CT for Ray to receive submarine training. They lived in East Douglas for a short time, and after daughter Betsy was born, Ray, Sue, and baby moved to the US Naval base in Norfolk, Virginia. Ray served on the WWII-era diesel submarine USS Sirago as an Electrician’s Mate, a formative, challenging, and not altogether pleasant adventure he spoke of often. After Ray’s honorable discharge, the family lived in Linglestown, Pennsylvania, where Ray worked on gas pipelines and son Tim was born. The family moved to Orono, Maine, where Ray earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maine, graduating in 1972. Ray was immediately employed by Scott Pulp and Paper Company in Chester, PA, where he began his career as an Electrical Systems and Controls Engineer. After 7 Years in the Philadelphia area, during which time Ray earned his Master of Science degree in EE, the family followed their hearts back to New England. They moved to Merrimack, NH in 1980, and there Ray and Sue stayed. Over the years Ray and Sue went on several grand adventures; A Caribbean schooner cruise, to Thailand to visit expat friends living there, and a land and ocean tour of South America which included Machu Picchu. Their favorite spot in the world by far, however, was Pemaquid, Maine where the family would vacation for two weeks each summer. The multi-generation, heirloom antique house and property in Pemaquid was a very special place, shared by extended family. The home was originally purchased by Ray’s grandparents when his mom was a young girl. Ray and Sue would vacation there with the kids every year, taking their lovingly painted green and white aluminum outboard motor boat “Sea Urchin” to visit harbors for lunch, do some fishing, and open the engine up while dodging lobster buoys as they passed Pemaquid Point. Steamed lobster and Ray’s famous “clam soup” and grilled freshly caught fish were dinner staples. Full of family memories, the old house was a labor of love for Ray and Sue, where they spent many hours repairing and painting, and glazing old, wavy window panes. Raymond is predeceased by his wife Susan Bates Spooner and his sister Gail Meeson Elker. Ray is survived by his daughter Betsy, her spouse Chris Ciocci, their son, Dain; his son Tim, his spouse Patti, their children Abby and Em; his Brother Jonathan, his spouse Laurie; his nephews and their families. The family has appreciated the outpouring of support from friends, and is celebrating Ray’s life privately.

Raymond H. Spooner Jr.

September 17, 1940 - December 12, 2025