Ray D. Eaves

Ray D. Eaves, 96, of Hancock, NH, died peacefully on Thursday, October 6, 2016 at the Good Shepherd Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Jaffrey after a brief illness.

He was born in Jaffrey on November 30, 1919, son of the late Elmer and Leila (Moore) Eaves. He attended Conant High School in Jaffrey before serving honorably with the US Army Air Corps during World War II. Ray entered the service in 1942 and served with the 677th Bombardment Squadron as a Staff Sergeant, participating in the Air Offensive in Japan and throughout the Asiatic Pacific Theater. One memorable Christmas Eve was spent in a foxhole on a Japanese beach.

Upon returning home, Ray worked at the White Brothers/Warwick Mills in Jaffrey and in New Ipswich as a shift supervisor for many years. He also worked for his father's carpentry business.

Ray had been a member of the John Humiston American Legion Post #11 in Jaffrey. After he and his wife moved to Hancock, he joined the Cheney-Armstrong American Legion Post #5 in Peterborough and belonged for over 27 years.

Ray enjoyed spending his Sunday’s visiting family and friends, especially those who were confined to home or convalescing at area nursing homes. This was his way of socializing and staying current, as well as brightening the days for loved ones. He stayed in touch with wartime buddies through newsletters, and attending one reunion in Portsmouth, NH. He always looked forward to local Senior Lunches.

Ray's wife, Rose (Brady) Eaves preceded him in death on October 22, 2005, his brother Alton Eaves and his sister Edith Stevenson also died earlier.

He is survived by his sister June and her husband Thomas Parker of Fitzwilliam, NH; his brother-in-law Kenneth Stevenson Sr of Enfield, CT; nephews Howard and wife Jeanne Eaves of Jaffrey; Kenneth Jr and wife Jane Stevenson of Simsbury, CT; nieces Genie and husband Leigh Andrews of Matlacha, FL; Patricia Eaves of Jaffrey; Linda Stevenson and husband Robert Lowell of Suffield, CT; Joyce and Joseph Fairbanks of North Hadley, MA; several grandnephews and grandnieces and cousins. Ray will be sorely missed by many close friends, especially ‘Herbie’ Robinson’s family.

At his request, there will be no calling hours.
There will be a graveside service with Military Honors in Conant Cemetery in Jaffrey on October 24, 2016 at 1:00pm. Rev. Robin Lunn of the First Church in Jaffrey, UCC will be the officiant.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made either to the Cheney-Armstrong American Legion, Post #5, PO Box 172, Peterborough, NH 03458, or to the local Salvation Army, in care of the Keene New Hampshire Corps Community Center, 15 Roxbury Plaza, Keene, NH 03431.