Raymond J. 'Ray' Martin Obituary (2021)

Raymond J. Martin, beloved and gregarious family man, longtime local businessman, and friend to many, died November 2 of a heart attack while hunting in the woods he spent years exploring near his camp on Tupper Lake. He was found on November 4 by a search crew, one of many led by DEC and state police handling nearly 300 local volunteers who came out to help find him - a man who called Tupper Lake home his whole life and gave to his community both personally and professionally. Ray is survived by his best friend and wife of 44 years, Lori (Brunette), whom he began dating at Tupper High. They were married in 1977, after Ray graduated from SUNY Brockport College. He is also survived by his daughters Kelly (Spencer), Tupper Lake; Katie Reeder (Jesse), Maryland); grandchildren Abigail and Grant Reeder; and son Jay (Emily), Tupper Lake. To say that he was close with his children would be a deep understatement. He was involved in their lives from birth, coaching basketball for their young teams, guiding them through teenage years, college and relationships, helping them move, and helping them laugh. He fished and hunted with Jay, and he and Lori loved hearing Jay perform in different local bands. He was so happy his daughter Kelly recently moved back to Tupper Lake. His grandchildren; Abigail and Grant Reeder, lit up Ray's life. They spent summers at the family's camp on the lake here, where "Pa"devoted time to playing with them and introducing them to the big woods. He and Lori frequently drove to Maryland to visit with Katie, Jesse and the grandchildren. Ray would eagerly show his friends videos from his phone of his grandchildren's antics. Ray began his career as a CPA at William A. Sweeney CPA in Saranac Lake in 1978. He became a partner 10 years later, and the firm became Sweeney and Martin. In 1998, Ray opened Ray Martin, CPA in Tupper Lake, where he has successfully served clients from the region and far beyond. His personal care and devotion to his clients, as well as his attention to detail and unflagging work ethic, made him an esteemed businessman. He supported many organizations and individuals as a civic-minded community man. He was voted Best Accounting Firm of the Adirondacks by readers of the Adirondack Daily Enterprise. Happily, Ray sold the business to his son Jay and business partner Brian Dukett this past summer, looking forward to retirement and deleting 80-hour tax season weeks from his schedule. An avid hunter who traveled to Alaska, Colorado and Montana on numerous hunting trips, Ray also hosted annual hunting gatherings at the log cabin camp he built across the lake. Each year, a community of close Beausoliel cousins and friends would gather for long days of hunting, sharing good meals, good stories and good beer and wine in the evenings. He loved being out in the woods hiking and walking. Whether at a social gathering, a card game, a family dinner, or sitting with a few friends, Ray was perpetually known for his outgoing personality, his full-faced smile, hearty laugh, and storytelling punctuated with jokes and voice imitations. He had a welcoming heart and an open door. Ray and Lori loved snowshoeing and cross-country skiing across the lake in the winter to their cabin, and in the woods in back of their home in Moody. They took many vacations together, worked together, cooked together, and embodied family. Anybody who knew Ray knew how much he loved their dogs, taking them everywhere, including to the office. Buddy, Molly, Beau and Toby have passed on; Maya, Bertie and Lily will miss his long walks, ball throwing and devotion. Ray was also a board member of the Champlain National Bank. He is survived by siblings Joe (Hazel), Tommy (Yun), Bob and Edward (Dawn), all of Florida; Anne (Paul), California; Jean (Chuck) Nevada, and Becky (Paul), Utah; Richard (Diane), Tupper Lake, New York. He is predeceased by his brother Hank and his parents Ed and Simone Martin. Calling hours will be held at the Frary Funeral Home on Monday November 15th, 2021 from 12:00PM - 2:00PM and 4:00PM-6:00PM. A Funeral service will follow on Tuesday, November 16th, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the building formally known as the Holy Name Church at 114 Main Street, Tupper Lake, NY 12986. In lieu of flowers, donations may be accepted for the creation of the Ray Martin Memorial Scholarship Fund for a high school senior going to college. They can be mailed to Martin and Dukett, 39 Lake Street, Tupper Lake, NY. 12986. Online condolences may be made at www.fraryfuneralhomes.com.