Born: August 5, 1942
Died: March 18, 2016
Married: Mary Bevilacqua
Children: Reagan, Mark, Matt
From the obituary for John Raymond, Fortune Keough Funeral Home:
John Raymond was born in Tupper Lake. He was the son of Mark and Kathryn (Trainor) Raymond. John married Mary Bevilacqua on August 16, 1975 in Paul Smiths, New York.
"A graduate of Tupper Lake High School, Ithaca College (B), and St. Lawrence University (M) Raymond was hired as a teacher in the Saranac Lake school district in 1964. Raymond served as dean of students, middle school principal, athletic director, and district superintendent during his tenure but his true love was coaching.
Coach Raymond was the architect of one of the most successful football programs in the State of New York.
During his 30 years of coaching football Raymond led Saranac Lake to numerous championship seasons. He took the then-Redskins football team all the way to the NYS Class C title game at the Carrier Dome in 1995 and also helped guide several teams to the state playoffs. Upon his final retirement from coaching in 1998 he was the all time leader in Section VII with 172 victories. In addition to football Raymond won championships in baseball, skiing, and basketball.
He is survived by his wife Mary of Saranac Lake; three children Reagan Phelan of Saranac Lake, Mark of Potsdam and Matt of Saranac Lake; one brother Curtis of Vero Beach, FL, two sisters Gail Rose of Little Falls and Jane Cole of Tupper Lake as well as six grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews as well as the extended Bevilacqua family. He was preceded in death by his father and mother.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 AM on Wednesday March 23, 2016 at St. Bernard's Church, with Rev. Patrick Ratigan officiating. A reception shall follow at the Lodge at Mount Pisgah.
Burial will take place in St. Bernard's Cemetery in Saranac Lake at the convenience of the family.
Friends wishing to remember John O. Raymond may make memorial contributions to Saranac Lake Central School District for the John Raymond Scholarship Fund in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com."
