Obituary of Raymond Auwarter

Raymond G. Auwarter, age 89, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2017 in Chapel Hill, NC. Beloved son of Henry D. Auwarter and Clara (nee Albrecht), Ray was born in Jamaica, Queens, New York. Ray met his future wife, Roberta Gedney, at Franklin K. Lane High School in Queens. There and at the local YMCA, he swam (mostly backstroke) and played basketball (Varsity C in college). Despite reddish hair and fair skin, Ray was a lifeguard at Lido Beach. His love of the ocean was passed down to his children. After graduation from Lane, Ray started at Columbia University, and subsequently served in the U.S. Navy for 18 months (having been selected for the prestigious Eddy Program). Ray graduated on time with his original Class of 1948 from Columbia, with a B.A. in Business Administration. Upon graduation, Ray worked at Madden Reeve Angel & Co. and The Jay Madden Corporation - the exclusive sales agents for Finnish newsprint, board and specialty paper in the U.S. Ray discovered in newsprint a way to nurture his fascination with traffic and transportation, developing innovative systems and machinery. He always strived to do things better and more efficiently, whether in business or in his volunteer positions. Ray finished Madden as President and CEO of seven companies, and ended his newsprint career at the Donohue Paper Sales Corporation, which he owned, in 1993. In 1950, Ray and Roberta married, settling in Fresh Meadows, Queens, where they lived for some 10 years. In 1960, they moved to Nassau County, Long Island, where they lived for nearly 49 years - first in Roslyn Heights and then in Brookville. Theirs has been a romance and relationship for the ages. In 1994, Ray and Roberta, both avid golfers, started building their dream home in Chapel Hill at Governor's Club. Ray was an active "Club person" and volunteer - first at Plandome Country Club, then as president of Nassau Country Club from 1990 to 1993, and later on the Board of Governor's Club. He also was an active volunteer for the National MS Society (Eastern Carolina Chapter), the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce and Finland House. He formerly belonged to The University Club in New York - the culmination of a life-long love affair with the city. Ray's approach to life was upbeat and positive; he felt you could look in the mirror, smile and have a better day. He was confident, fair-minded, an excellent listener and, in business, a shrewd negotiator. Ray was the consummate planner. His favorite word, "anticipation," was a mantra to his family. Ray's belief in God was unwavering, and he truly lived his faith. He was a man of impeccable character and moral integrity, always striving to do the right thing. In lighter moments, Ray often danced with his wife and children. He enjoyed music, collecting (everything!) and memorializing life in film and on paper - as evidenced by his self-published memoir "We Are All Teachers By The Way We Live" and his editing the 100th anniversary journal of Nassau Country Club. He loved finding projects like a fixer-upper home in Landaff, New Hampshire, and peaceful moments as when cross-country skiing with his joy, our black Lab, Velvet. A man of strength, humility, dignity and grace, Ray wasn't above bunny-hopping to entertain his young children. He was the best dad one could ever imagine. As "Papa," he focused special attention on each of his grandchildren with unconditional love. Ray loved his family - both immediate and extended - more than anything - but his wife most of all. Ray is survived by: his wife of 67 years, Roberta; his brother Richard Auwarter; his sister-in-law Janis Auwarter; two daughters, Ellen C. Auwarter and Julia A. Gleason; four grandchildren, Margaret C. Gleason, Emily E. Gleason, Charles Raymond Gleason and Timothy J. Gleason; and his son-in-law Thomas C. Gleason. We will all miss him. Funeral and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Thomas More Church, the American Heart Association or the National MS Society would be appreciated. These were causes near and dear to Ray's heart. Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill is serving the Auwarter family. Online condolences may be offered at www.walkersfuneralservice.com.