Obituary of Raymond S. Derr

Raymond S. Derr, 92, passed away in Aventura, Florida on Saturday, July 14, 2018 surrounded by his four daughters who loved and adored him. Ray was born Sept 9, 1925 in Cincinnati Ohio. He was the son of the late Margaret (Meakin) Derr Crouse and Raymond Derr. Ray’s father passed away when he was a toddler, and he was raised by the late Homer Crouse, known to all as Pops. He was predeceased by his first wife Virginia (Gerber) Derr. He is survived by his wife Ruth (Shea) Derr, his four daughters Nancy (Tim) Moriarty of Coconut Creek, FL, Raelene duPont of Stony Creek, CT, Virginia Derr of Glastonbury, and Deborah (Brad) Cofiell of Glastonbury, and his stepdaughter Patricia (Steve) Smith of Colchester and stepson Thomas Ryan of Glastonbury. Many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also leaves two brothers Monroe Derr of New Britain and Robert Crouse of Salem, SC, two sisters Doris Buntin of Southington and Peggy Ann Mongellow of Dandridge, TN and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his stepdaughter Nancy LaVorgna. Ray loved telling stories of his younger years when he lived in Wilkes Barre and Philadelphia, PA. He attended high school in New Britain, CT. Ray married his late wife Virginia Gerber in 1949, and made his home in Glastonbury, CT. Ray was an ambitious entrepreneur who had a great work ethic. He started out as a painting contractor shortly after he opened his first small store in 1950; Glastonbury Paint and Wallpaper on the corner of Main and Grove Street. He always had a bigger vision, adding more space and floor covering to the mix after a few years. In 1962, he purchased the old theatre building in the center of Glastonbury, remodeled it and added furniture. In 1960, Ray started Superior Paving, always working alongside all of his men. Ray had a special bond with his brother Monroe, always taking care of each other. Together they ran the paving crews and painted almost every school in the Hartford area. In the early 80s, when redevelopment happened in Glastonbury, the Derr Plaza came to be. Raymond Derr not only owned the plaza, but he built it with his brother. Even in his later years you could find him working around the plaza, either mowing the lawn or fixing things. Family meant everything to Ray, many of his nephews and grandchildren first jobs were working for him. He taught them to work with a strong work ethic and heart. He loved his daughters and loved spending hours teasing his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was famous for his one liners. Above all you could see the pride he felt for each and every one of them. He loved to travel, especially on family cruises, and in his motorhome. He loved the beach and the warm weather especially at Rhode Island’s Charleston Breachway in the summer, and the Miami Beach area in the winter. Calling hours will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, July 24th at the Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury, followed by a service at 7:00 pm. Burial will be Wednesday, July 25th at 11:30am in Ellington Cemetery.  For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.