Raymond Mitchell

Raymond Mitchell, 82, of Wakefield, MA, passed away at home on January 19th, 2025. Ray was born June 26, 1942 to Everett and Edith (Decker) Mitchell. Raised in Wakefield, he graduated from Wakefield High School in 1960. Ray went on to study at East Coast Aero Tech in Lexington, MA, where he graduated in 1963 with High Honors. 

Ray spent two years in the Navy during the Vietnam War as a Helicopter Mechanic on the USS Boxer, bringing his brother, Everett Mitchell Jr, on board near the end to take over his position. As Ray explained it, “nobody would hire me til I got my service out of the way.” His time in the service paid off, though, and led to his lifetime work with Logan Airport, where he spent decades as a plane mechanic for Northeast. When Northeast closed up shop, he continued his career with Delta, first as a mechanic, then fuel farm technician, before retiring in 1995. 

Ray’s sons, Jeffery and Scott, remember him as a very calm person who was “honest and real.” He happily took his sons all over Boston as young children, bringing them to see Old Ironsides and Battleship Cove when no one else in the family would. Often a man of few words, his son Scott holds close the simplicity of an out-of-the-blue, “You did good. You turned out alright.” Many of Ray’s friends found him in a similar nonchalant and easy-going mood. Ray came to trust one dear friend and neighbor like a brother, sharing what they had in common and being there for each other whenever needed. 

Throughout life, Ray summered at his family camp near Lake Winnipesaukee. There as kids, he and his brother followed the Legionnaire, wishing for a ride, and subsequently developed a lifelong appreciation for wooden boats. Ray spent all of his adult life restoring antique wooden boats with his father and brother. His personal “babies” were a Fay-Bowen named Artichoke and his 26’ Chris Craft which he was proud to have completely restored himself–minus the few woodworking tasks requiring extra hands and the engine-installation expertise from his boat-building pupil, Amanda Eason. When it got too cold out for boating, Ray built up his collection of O-Scale trolleys and trains. He was an active member of the Bay State Model Railroad Museum in Roslindale, MA, for many years, as well as a supporter of various hobby trolley and train events around the New England area. 

Raymond is predeceased by his father and mother, as well as his brother, Everett Mitchell Jr, of Alton, NH, and close friend, Deb Winsor, of Epping, NH, with whom he had planned to spend his retired years together traveling and appreciating the freshest mussels and lobsters they could find any time they were near the coast. He is survived by his sons, Jeffery Mitchell and Scott Mitchell, his sister, Myrna McKinnon, his sister-in-law, Cindy Mitchell, and a loving extended family of nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in the spring in Alton, NH. Friends of Ray are encouraged to contact Cindy Mitchell at (603) 569-4152 for more details.