Raymond R. LeSage - Obituary

Raymond Roland LeSage, 78, passed away on November 12, 2021 at the Bay Woods retirement community in Annapolis, MD after a lifetime of love to his family, friends, and community. Born in Washington, DC, Ray was the oldest of three children. He grew up in Bladensburg, MD where he formed many lifelong friendships while attending St. Ambrose Elementary School, DeMatha Catholic High School, and the University of Maryland. Upon graduation with a BS in Electrical Engineering Ray began a 28 year career with the Federal Government serving various positions with DISA, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, and Submarine Electronic Warfare Systems. He also spent 11 years as VP for Operations as Director of Software with Fuentez Systems Concept. In his employment Ray enjoyed many titles—Project Engineer, Systems Engineer, Chief, Vice President, Deputy Commander, Special Assistant to the Chief Technology Officer and earned many awards along his career. He was especially proud of being inducted into the Honorary Engineer Fraternity Eta Kappa Nu at the University of Maryland. He also delighted in being and Honorary Member of VQ-2 Squadron, USS Wainright and USS Ronquil. He enjoyed his titles and awards but by far his favorite title was DAD and GRANDDAD. His love for his children was so evident in the many special things he did for them—coaching their sports teams, setting up a lemonade stand, helping with science fair projects, enjoying special nights, boating, playing hooky from work/school, and teaching them how to live a good life. His grandchildren lit up his life. Even as he struggled with Parkinsons, he would play ball, fish off the pier, teach them card games and watch special movies with them. He invented a special drink called “granddad’s special” and played a special game called “granddad poker” which they loved. He enjoyed many hobbies including: painting, photography, racquetball, sports, boating, fishing, crabbing, playing cards, boating, doing restoration work on the Thomas Point Lighthouse and being a tour guide for the Thomas Point Lighthouse. He not only cherished his immediate family but loved family far and near. He enjoyed pranking family members at Christmas. A favorite was when he gave all he nieces and nephews a taped copy of the TV show Everybody Loves Raymond and telling them they had to watch it at least once a week. He also gave them a book called How to Win Friends and Influence People because he wanted them all to be successful in life. Ray loved family and friends alike. He taped interviews of aunts and uncles (there were about 14 of them) and made CDs for their children so they would have a keepsake of their parents. He played cards with a group of friends until they all got too old to drive at night and then they started monthly lunches. This special friendship lasted about 72 years. He enjoyed retirement by fulfilling his dream to live on the Chesapeake Bay, boating, hosting family gatherings, and travelling with his wife Kathy of 55 years. He lived a good life and maintained a positive outlook through difficult times. He set an example of love, loyalty, courage and education and became a father figure and mentor to many. He is survived by his wife Kathy, his children Kim, Kristee and Christopher, his sons-in law Edward Barrow and Derrick Marconi, his daughter in law Elena LeSage, his six grandchildren Brandon, Lindsay, Katie, Macy, Ryan, and Danny, his brother Donald LeSage, his sister Lorraine Dovel, his sister-in-law Judy LeSage and many nieces and nephews. Ray was preceded in death by his father Roland LeSage and mother Lucille LeSage. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD on Monday, November 22 at 10 am. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton, MD. In lieu of flowers, do something special with your family or do a good deed for someone in need in memory of Ray’s love of family and fondness for others.