Raymond F. Fleck

Raymond Franklin Fleck, a resident of Walple since 1990, and formerly of Norwood, died Sunday, July 24th, 2011 at the Norwood Hospital in Norwood, Massachusetts after a brief illness.  He was 88.  Ray was born November 21, 1922 in Norwood, MA, one of the four children of Franklin William, and Gertrude (Bacon) Fleck.  He graduated from Norwood High School with the Class of 1940, Earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the New England Conservatory in 1947, and earned his Masters Degree in Music Education from Boston University in 1954.  Ray served in the US Navy Navy from 1942 to 1946 as a sonar man on Yard Mine Sweeper 266.  He visited 43 islands in the South Pacific and swept the harbors for mines before the battles of Guam and Bougainville, Guadalcanal, Wake Island, Tinian, Saipan, and Eniwetok.  Raymond worked as Supervisor of Music in Lebanon, New Hampshire from 1947 to 1950; as a Music Supervisor in Adams, Massachusetts from 1950 to 1953; and as a Music Teacher and Director of Audio-Visual Education in Norwood from 1953 until his retirement in 1989.  Raymond was a member of the American Legion and played in the American Legion band; a member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution; the Massachussetts State President of the national Society of the Sons of the American Revolution; a Commander of the Massachusetts S.A.R. Continental Army Color Guard; a Norwood Town Meeting Member for many years; and a Warden for the town elections in Walpole, Massachusetts.  Raymond was also very active in Masons.  He was a member of DeMolay, and a recipient of the Chevalier Award; a member and Past Master of of Orient Lodge AF & AM of Norwood; a member and Past High Priest of the Hebron Royal Arch Chapter; a member and Past Commander of the Norwood Commandery; a member and Past Illustrious Master of the Hyde Park Council; a member of the York Rite Order of the Purple Cross; and a Conductor of the Taleb Grotto Band.  Ray was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Norwood for over 75 years, having been baptized there on December 22, 1935.  He served the church in many different leadership positions during that time.  Ray is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ann Davison (Duffie) Fleck; his son, William D. Fleck, and his wife Susan E., of Franklin, MA; his daughter, Carol A. Whetzel, and her husband Michael D. Whetzel Sr., of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; his two sisters, Marion L. Harding of Georgetown, Massachusetts, and Nancy J. Curtis of Zellwood, Florida; his grandchildren, Melanie J. Taylor, Michael D. Whetzel, Janet E. Lundgren, Timothy W. Fleck, Joyce E. Fleck, and Diane M. Fleck; and his great grandchildren, Nathan M. Whetzel, Joshua P. Whetzel, and Malachi A. Taylor.  Raymond was the brother of the late Robert W. Fleck.  Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, July 27th from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the May Funeral Home, 85 Nichols Street, Norwood.  Orient Lodge AF & AM of Norwood will provide a Masonic Service during the evening visitation.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral Thursday at 10 AM at the First Baptist Church of Norwood.  Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Harwich, Massachusetts.  In lieu of flowers donations tot he First Baptist Church, 71 Bond Street Norwood, MA 02062 would be appreciated.