Ray was born August 29, 1920, the first of 5 children born to Frances and Matthew Martin. The family lived with his maternal grandmother who doted on him. In 1933, his love of driving began while chauffeuring her to many social events. He obtained his drivers’ license in 1936 for 25 cents. He was proud that during his lifetime he never actually took a driving test and never had a ticket. In 1939, after attending community college, a friend of the family interested him in a career in the professional laundry and dry cleaning business. The decision led him to Washington D.C., where he met the love of his life “Ginny” at the National Laundry in 1941. They had a 72 year love affair. When WWII intervened, he volunteered and earned a commission as a Marine officer. They married in June of 1943, six months before Ray was deployed to the South Pacific. Their first child, Bill, was born while Ray was overseas becoming a “war hero” as a pilot of a B-25 Mitchell bomber. He logged exactly 1111.1 hours in the air during his many successful air missions, was awarded 2 Distinguished Flying crosses and received 7 air medals for various feats of bravery. He returned to his family in Washington in April of 1945. Their second child, Judy, was born in 1946. In 1948, they returned to Peru, Illinois, Ray’s hometown, to raise their family and continue Ray’s career in the professional laundry and dry cleaning business. A third child, Janet, was born shortly after that move. In 1954, Ginny and Ray built a new home and welcomed their last child, Christine, in early 1955,
Their life was very active; they enjoyed raising a family, playing golf and building lifelong friendships. 1962 became a milestone year in Dad’s life. He purchased his own Dry Cleaning and laundry plant, named it Sparkle Cleaners and officially became “Mr. Sparkle”. He ran that successful business until 1982 when he and Ginny retired to Florida to pursue their love of golf; a sport he studied, loved and “coached” to a lucky few. He loved Florida. He went back to swimming, a sport he excelled at in high school. His daily mile swims added to his longevity. Dad’s business skills re-emerged in retirement. He served as Vice President and President of his condominium association and earned such an excellent reputation he was named “citizen for a day” in Collier County.
He celebrated his last birthday, number 96, in good health with family and friends where he lived at Brookdale of Naples. He always loved a party with good food and drink; his was jack Daniels. He peacefully passed away the evening of September 25, 2016.
He will be missed by all who knew him.
