Obituary for Frank Raymond "Ray" Esser Jr.
NASSAU - Frank Raymond “Ray” Esser, Jr. passed away in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family on April 25, 2023 at the age of 93.
Ray was the son of Grace and Frank R. Esser Sr. and he lived most of his life in Troy, NY. He graduated from Hudson Valley Technical College, now HVCC where he was a member of the first graduating class of that institution. He enjoyed a long career in Planning and Architecture, and Construction Management, and served on the Brunswick Planning Board. He was the founder and proprietor of the Silver Strawberry. A proud patriot, Ray served in the United States Navy during the Korean War and was honorably discharged after six years of active military service.
Ray enjoyed fishing, gardening, woodworking, and poker nights, but his best days were shared with his family.
Ray was pre-deceased by his loving wife of 67 years, Virginia (Pisarri) Esser. He was the father of Patricia Brett (Larry), Maribeth Fargnoli (John McAteer), Susan Lavine (Nino Nirchio) and Nancy Jo Phelan (Brian). He was predeceased by his son, Robert Esser (Carol Benoit). He was the proud Poppy of Abbey Ramsey, Jeff Esser, Sara Martin (Derrick), Alex Brett, Michael (Jacquelyn) and Andrew (Rebecca) Fargnoli, Lauren (Butch Herdegen), Stephanie and Jonathan (Brooke) Lavine, Bridget Ledbetter (Andrew), Matthew Phelan (Kristen); great-grandfather of eight, brother of the late Ethel Mann (James) and Ruth Grobe (Fred). Also survived by many nieces and nephews as well as his faithful canine companion Patches.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated by the Reverend Randall Patterson on Monday, May 1st at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Victory Church, 55 North Lake Avenue, Troy, NY. Interment, with military honors, will follow at 12:30 pm at the Gerald B.H. Solomon-Saratoga National Cemetery. Friends may also visit with the family on Sunday from 4 until 7 pm at the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet, NY.
The family requests with gratitude that, in lieu of customary remembrances, donations be made in his memory to www.alz.org/vermont?form=alz_donate Please visit Ray’s online memorial tribute at www.parkerbrosmemorial.com.
Ray was the son of Grace and Frank R. Esser Sr. and he lived most of his life in Troy, NY. He graduated from Hudson Valley Technical College, now HVCC where he was a member of the first graduating class of that institution. He enjoyed a long career in Planning and Architecture, and Construction Management, and served on the Brunswick Planning Board. He was the founder and proprietor of the Silver Strawberry. A proud patriot, Ray served in the United States Navy during the Korean War and was honorably discharged after six years of active military service.
Ray enjoyed fishing, gardening, woodworking, and poker nights, but his best days were shared with his family.
Ray was pre-deceased by his loving wife of 67 years, Virginia (Pisarri) Esser. He was the father of Patricia Brett (Larry), Maribeth Fargnoli (John McAteer), Susan Lavine (Nino Nirchio) and Nancy Jo Phelan (Brian). He was predeceased by his son, Robert Esser (Carol Benoit). He was the proud Poppy of Abbey Ramsey, Jeff Esser, Sara Martin (Derrick), Alex Brett, Michael (Jacquelyn) and Andrew (Rebecca) Fargnoli, Lauren (Butch Herdegen), Stephanie and Jonathan (Brooke) Lavine, Bridget Ledbetter (Andrew), Matthew Phelan (Kristen); great-grandfather of eight, brother of the late Ethel Mann (James) and Ruth Grobe (Fred). Also survived by many nieces and nephews as well as his faithful canine companion Patches.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated by the Reverend Randall Patterson on Monday, May 1st at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Victory Church, 55 North Lake Avenue, Troy, NY. Interment, with military honors, will follow at 12:30 pm at the Gerald B.H. Solomon-Saratoga National Cemetery. Friends may also visit with the family on Sunday from 4 until 7 pm at the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet, NY.
The family requests with gratitude that, in lieu of customary remembrances, donations be made in his memory to www.alz.org/vermont?form=alz_donate Please visit Ray’s online memorial tribute at www.parkerbrosmemorial.com.