Obituary of Raymond C. Doty

PORTVILLE: Raymond C. Doty, passed away peacefully December 8, 2023 at his home surrounded by the love and care of his family at the age of 90. He was born November 22, 1933 in the town of Troupsburg the only child and son of Francis C. “Shorty” and Margaret E. (Newbury) Doty. On February 10, 1952 in Whitesville, NY, he married the former Loretta J. Heckman who survives and resides in Portville. Raymond was an Air Force Veteran proudly serving our country from 1951- 1955. He was an Alfred University Graduate receiving a bachelor's degree in ceramic engineering and had worked and retired from the AVX Corporation in Olean after 33 years of employment. He served in the USAF Security Service as part of the 1st Radio Squadron Mobile (Japan & Korea). While at Alfred University Raymond was on the planning committee for the annual St. Pat’s Festival held in March. The event is to pay tribute to St. Patrick, patron saint of ceramic engineers. Upon graduating from Alfred University in 1959, he worked for a couple different companies before starting with AVX Corporation in 1964 and moving to the Olean, NY area. In 1965 Ray and Loretta purchased a farm in Portville, NY and named it LO-RAY FARM. Farming was in his blood as his father and father-in-law had farms in the Greenwood, NY area. Raymond’s dairy was made of Registered Holsteins and he received awards for average milk production and milk fat content. It was a small but productive dairy. As a full-time ceramic engineer and part-time gentleman farmer, the days were long. Even so, he made time for fun with the family, basketball on the court in the hay mow, football in the front yard, swimming in Dodge Creek that runs through the farm or sledding on the hill behind the house. He and Loretta always supported the children in their academic, athletic or other endeavors. Athletics: Raymond was active in high school on the basketball and track teams, winning medals in high jump competition. In college he would play tennis with friends and later in life play at the courts at Portville Central School. He enjoyed golfing with family and friends and was in a league at Allegany Hills Golf Course for many years. Ray and Loretta belonged to bowling leagues in Olean and they were both very good. Ray won a few trophies, high three game average and helped his team do well in the leagues. Ray was an avid canoeist and entered many local regattas winning some within his class and age group. He is part of the 700 mile club, finishing the General Clinton Canoe Regatta (70 mile race from Cooperstown to Bainbridge) 10 times. In 1989 he and his partner (Chuck Flagg) won the “Veterans” Amateur Super Aluminum Division. In 1990 they won the “Seniors” Amateur Super Aluminum Division. Sports Fan: Ray enjoyed watching sports on television or live events when possible. He was a Bills, Sabres, Yankees and St. Bonaventure Bonnies fan. He was the biggest fan of the sports at Portville Central School. When his children or grandchildren would have a football, basketball, soccer, track or tennis game, or wrestling match, he would be there with Loretta cheering with the rest of the crowd. Hobbies: Ray loved reading and writing poetry. He wrote many, many poems for retirements, birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions for his coworkers, friends and family. He also loved novels of all sort and his reading list is very long. He liked reading the paper and doing all the puzzles every day. He really enjoyed comedy shows, the comics and the books by Patrick McManus and would read some stories aloud. He would be laughing so hard he could hardly read and we would be laughing so hard we could hardly hear. Ray liked to fish in the pond they put in on the farm and in the pond behind the house they built after retirement. He loved animals and could sit for long periods bird watching. Ray and Loretta belonged to The Holiday Rambler Recreational Club. They would travel with friends to different campgrounds and enjoy time by the fire visiting. They also traveled many times to Bluegrass Festivals. They travelled to Tennessee to see children and grandchildren. Raymond was the embodiment of character, integrity and family values. He gave his family a great gift by setting the example – the understanding that hard work, dedication and perseverance are worth it. Raymond was a great husband, father, grandparent, friend and mentor. He will be missed by all that knew him. Surviving are his wife of 71 years, Loretta Doty of Portville, daughter Darla (Victor) Thomas of Lobelville, TN, sons Mark (Susan) Doty of Lobelville, TN, Eric Doty and Douglas (Julie) Doty both of Portville, 17 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, one great-great-grandson. Per Raymond’s request there will be no calling hours or service. Final interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Greenwood, NY at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions in Raymond’s name may be made to the Portville Free Library, 2 North Main Street, PO Box 768, Portville, NY 14770. Arrangements are with the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home in Canisteo.