Raymond Mendonca passed away surrounded by his family, on June 12, 2023, after a brief illness. He was 82 years old. Raymond was born and raised in Taunton, educated in Taunton Public Schools, and graduated from Taunton High School. While growing up in Taunton’s “Portuguese Village,” Raymond enjoyed a childhood filled with sandlot baseball games at Hartshorn’s Field and Hopewell Park. In 1963, he entered the Army Reserves where he served for six years. Ray married his first love, the late Helen (Thomas) Mendonca, with whom he had two daughters, Lynne and Cheryl. Raymond was a gifted musician and was a member of several local bands including Dick and the Doughboys and The Knights, very popular groups that played for weddings and events all across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. For many years, he worked at the Charles Bean Music Company, on Weir St. There, he shared his love of music with hundreds of students whom he taught to play the guitar. Ray eventually became the manager of the store and remained with the company through several ownership and name changes. He retired in 2007 from the Rayburn Music Company, as it was known at that time. For the last sixteen years, Raymond has treasured his marriage to Carol (Cunniff) Mendonca, by whom he is survived. In his free time, Raymond enjoyed playing the guitar, going to Cape Cod League baseball games, and playing golf with his golf buddies at Parker Golf Course. Raymond most enjoyed spending time with his family. Watching his grandchildren play sports, perform in dance recitals, and star in plays brought Raymond great joy. He saw each of his grandchildren graduate. He loved to watch the Red Sox. Raymond was an avid reader who enjoyed reading both fiction and non-fiction. Most recently, he read the biography of every U.S. president, and read about many of his favorite ball players, such as Ted Williams and Babe Ruth. Raymond is survived by: his wife Carol Mendonca; his daughters and their spouses: Linda Mello and Jeff Miller, and her mother Ora Wordell, Lynne and Stephen Weldon, Cheryl and Joseph Paulo; and his stepdaughter Carrie and Peter Cardoso. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jennifer Mello, Lauren Mello, Jessica Weldon, Angela Weldon, Joseph Paulo, Julia Paulo, and Jocelyn Paulo, and his great-granddaughter. He is further survived by his siblings: Albert Mendonca, Delores DeCosta, Mary Victoria Silva, and Charles Mendonca. Visiting hours will be held on June 21, 2023 at 9:30 AM at St. John Neumann Church in East Freetown, MA, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11:00 and a reception in the church hall will follow of the Mass.Arrangements under the care of the O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home in Taunton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to The Greater Boston Food Bank, 70 S.Bay Ave., Boston, MA.