Ray Garrett was lost to the many who loved him on his 62nd birthday. He had a heart attack while kitesurfing in one of his favorite places in Brazil. It was a beautiful day with steady winds, and Ray was excited to be on the water with his dear friends.
Ray was born on Oct. 29, 1962, in Augusta, Georgia, where his dad, Jerry, was serving in the military. Ray’s mother, Peggy, was a nurse (and he considered her a saint after having four boys and working in emergency rooms!)
Ray grew up in Delaware with his brothers Mark, Jeff, and Michael. The 4 “boys being boys” rode dirt bikes, played pranks on each other, and tried to stay out of trouble. In winter, the family traveled to Vermont and New Hampshire, where Ray learned to ski—a passion he had enjoyed for his entire life.
Raymond John Garrett II was named after his paternal grandfather, Pap, whom he adored. Ray loved all his grandparents deeply and was happy to talk and visit with them as often as possible. Family time was precious to Ray, and he never hesitated to drive to Delaware, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania for the next gathering.
At A.I. Dupont High School in Hockessin, Delaware, Ray was a talented wrestler, being a two-time state champion and a member of the Junior World Team for wrestling in 1980.
Being in and on the water was both exciting and soothing to Ray. He learned to sail and was always up for a new adventure with his friend John. Learning to windsurf became a passion that continued until he discovered kite surfing.
Ray graduated from UConn in 1987 and briefly worked in New York City. After the stock market crash in October, Ray decided to follow his windsurfing passion and go to Martha’s Vineyard.
On Martha’s Vineyard, Ray worked in restaurants—ensuring his schedule allowed plenty of time for windsurfing with his buddy Mel at First Bridge and enjoying an after-session Andy’s Lemonade.
In 1988, Mel invited Ray to come to Killington, Vermont, for the winter. That started the 35-year migration between MVY and VT (with one winter in Steamboat Springs, which was not enough vertical).
During his hospitality career, Ray took immense pride in his work and added to his cadre of true and lasting friends.
It was while working at the Navigator that Ray met Colleen. It was the days of hitchhiking, and if she missed the bus (which did not run as frequently in 1989!) Ray would sometimes drop her off on his way home after sharing a frozen mudslide.
Ray and Colleen married at the Old Whaling Church on Martha’s Vineyard and had an amazing reception in their sun-filled backyard. The action-packed years flew by, working hard and traveling to New Zealand, the Outer Banks, Maui, and Brazil. Ray and Colleen had their 30th anniversary on Oct. 15.
Ray’s pride and joy were his house and yard. He cheerfully tended to the lawn and flowers—often until dusk. Standing in his shed and watching the animals play in the grass and trees gave him peace.
In Killington, Ray found a tremendous tribe of friends and enjoyed every day in the snow. For 35 years, Ray worked as a boot fitter, becoming a certified pedorthist. Ray developed exceptional skills and tremendous patience, allowing him to help people enjoy their time in the snow.
Ray is survived by his wife, Colleen; mother, Peggy (James); brothers, Michael (Leah), Mark, and Jeff; nieces Maddie (Nick), Tyler, Erin, and Claire; nephews, Ian, Nathan, and Adam; great-nephews Garrett and Alaric; and his in-laws, Jeannie, Johnnie, Susan, Heather, and Tom.
There will be a Remembrance of Ray on Jan. 12 from 4-7 p.m. at the Killington Grand Hotel in Killington. A June 1 gathering is also being planned on Martha’s Vineyard.
