Raymond John Essick, 54 of Batavia, Illinois, died after a brief and sudden battle with cancer on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at Presence Mercy Medical Center in Aurora, Illinois.
"Ray" was born in Methuen to the late Raymond and Joan (Reardon) Essick. He graduated from Central Catholic High School and Merrimack College. He worked as a computer programmer, a real estate agent and most recently in marketing.
He enjoyed playing and teaching chess, going to the movies and theater as well as eating out at different restaurants, especially Chinese. He was known for his dry wit and laughing at his own jokes. He was a man of great faith. His favorite biblical quote: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”. Josh. 1:9
He is survived by his twin sister, Nancy McMenimen, and her husband, Tim, of Massachusetts; his younger sister, Paula Essick, and her significant other, Daniel Griffiths, of Illinois; his favorite uncle, George Reardon, of Massachusetts; several cousins; and his canine pal, Toffee.
A wake will be held on Saturday August 27th from 9:00-10:30 AM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen. A Funeral Mass immediately follows across the street at St. Monica’s Church at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of “Raymond Essick ‘81” to the Office of Institutional Advancement, Central Catholic High School, 300 Hampshire St., Lawrence, MA 01841 or at https://www.centralcatholic.net/Give. Please include “hooRAY for Chess” in the memo of the check or the note section if donating online. For directions or to send an online condolence to Ray’s family, please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Essick family.