Raymond J. Estlick, 86
Dateline: Mansfield, MA
Raymond J. Estlick, 86, of Mansfield formerly of West Bridgewater , Lexington, and Winchester, passed away surrounded by his loving family, on Monday August 29, 2011 at Willow Crossing in Mansfield. He was the beloved husband of the late Elizabeth L. (Bacon) Estlick, to whom he was wed for over 50 years at the time of her death on March 2, 1999.
Born in Ansonia, CT on December 13, 1924, he was a son of the late William and Raymonde (Lambert) Estlick. He grew up in Ansonia and was a 1942 graduate of Ansonia High School.
He enlisted in the US Navy during WWII and served on the U.S.S. Reynolds (DE-42) in the Pacific Theatre. The Reynolds earned eight battle stars while protecting fuel and supply ships and conducting anti-submarine warfare. He was honorably discharged on Feb. 5, 1946 with the rank of Machinist Mate Second Class, and also served briefly during the Korean Conflict.
Upon returning from the war, he married his late wife Elizabeth and moved to Massachusetts. While raising his family, they lived in Lexington and Winchester. He later moved to West Bridgewater following retirement, where he made his home for 12 years. He had resided at Willow Crossing in Mansfield for the past 1 ½ years.
Prior to retiring in 1986, Mr. Estlick was employed for 35 years in the missile system division at Raytheon Corporation in Bedford. He started his career as a draftsman at Raytheon and went on to become a very successful principal mechanical engineer with numerous patents and contributions to critical projects; which included the Hawk, Sparrow, Patriot and Amraam Missiles.
While working, he received a Bachelors Degree from Northeastern University in Boston. He was Marshall for his class during the 1965 commencement ceremony.
He is survived by his devoted children; David W. Estlick and his wife Marilyn of Plano, Texas, Donna L. Beaupre of Frisco, Texas and Dana R. Estlick of Mansfield. The brother of William A. Estlick of Oakville, CT and the late Emalene E. Raith who passed away on March 9, 2010, he is also survived his cherished grandchildren; Michael Estlick, Christina Avis and Christopher Beaupre, great grandchildren; William Estlick and Charlotte Avis, several nieces and nephews, and close family friend Bruce Kingsbury of Mansfield.
Funeral services, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Saturday September 3rd at 10:00 A.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main St., Mansfield. Burial with military honors will follow in the Central Cemetery, East Bridgewater.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday September 2nd from 5-8 P.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Raymond’s memory may be made to the Destroyer Escort Historical Museum, P.O. Box 1926, Albany, NY 12201-1926.
For additional information please visit www.shermanjackson.com