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Raymond L. Gorton
Born: 6/10/1936
Died: 7/4/2016
Age: 80
Community: Grand Blanc, MI
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GORTON, Raymond L. – of Grand Blanc, age 80, died Monday evening, the 4th of July, 2016 at his residence. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, July 8, 2016 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church 2415 Bagley Street, Father Thomas Firestone and Father Douglas Osborn officiating. Cremation will take place following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Genesee County Free Health Clinic or the North End Soup Kitchen. Visitation 2-8 p.m. Thursday at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road. Visitation 10am Friday at church until the time of the Mass. A rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Ray was born June 10, 1936 in Flint and lived the years of his youth in Owosso, where he graduated from Owosso High School in 1954. He married Patricia Lear on June 29, 1957 at St. Paul's Church. They raised their family of seven children in Flint. They have been parishioners of St. John Vianney Parish for nearly 60 years. Known for his hugs, Ray loved big and laughed easily. His greatest joy was his family. Ray was a man of integrity and a generous friend to many. His life encompassed his faith, family and friends.
He was competitive and participated in sports, especially football, basketball, table tennis and golf, where he scored a "hole-in-one." Affectionately known as "Sugar Ray," he was an avid Detroit Piston Basketball and Tiger Baseball fan. Ray has been a longtime supporter of the Flint Olympian and Canusa Games. In 1979, the Gorton family received the James A. Littell Award.
Ray attended General Motors Institute from 1954 to 1958, while serving his tool and die apprenticeship at Chevrolet Manufacturing. His career included designing, engineering and supervision. He received the General Motors Award for Excellence in Community Activities. Following his retirement from Buick Motor Division in 1988, Ray worked with Stolle Corporation in Sidney, Ohio and moved on to Teikuro Corporation in Springfield, Ohio before retiring in 2009.
Ray was the beloved husband of Patricia and the loving father of Gregory Gorton of Grand Blanc, Jill Michelle of Linden, Jacqueline (Christopher) Maroun of Lake Forest, California, Jennifer (Scott) Martin of Harbor Springs, Michigan, Johanna (Mike) Rose of Pinckney, Michigan, Matthew Gorton of Columbus, Ohio and Mark T. (Julie) Gorton of Grand Blanc; beloved "Papa" to Dominic Gorton, Brianna Thompson, Christopher and Gabriel Scieszka, Natalie, Nicolas and Jonathan Maroun, Joelle and Jessica Rose, Luke, Jack and Andrew Gorton; great-grandchildren, Camille, Sophie Rae, Rowan and Stella; brother-in-law, James (Kathleen) Lear of Saginaw, Michigan; many nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Irene Gorton; step-mother, Geraldine Gorton; sister, Joyce Donnelly; and granddaughter, Gina Marie Rose.
Ray is truly missed and will always be in our hearts. Now he belongs to the ages. May the angels lead him into paradise.
Your condolences may be shared with the family at www.swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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7/6/2016 |
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| Visitation 2-8 p.m. Thursday at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road. Visitation 10am Friday at church until the time of the Mass. A rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. |
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| Funeral Service |
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7/8/2016 |
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11:00 AM |
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| Location: |
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St. John Vianney Catholic Church
2415 Bagley Street
Flint, MI 48507Get a Map to this location...
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