Ray A. Shirrell

SOUTH PORTLAND - Ray A. Shirrell, 87, of South Portland, died Saturday September 21, 2013 at Maine Medical Center. He was born in Loudon, Tennessee on September 1, 1926 a son of Walter F. "Fate" and Ora J. Lambert Sherrill. Ray was educated at a catholic boarding school in South Carolina. Ray joined the Navy and served in the South Pacific during World War II aboard the USS Foss. On September 18, 1948 he married the former Edith Marie Jordan in Key West, Florida. Ray's service to his country continued as he enlisted in the Army and served overseas during the Korean Conflict. Following his military service the family settled in South Portland. For twenty years he was employed with the State of Maine as a food service Manager at the Boy's Training Center in South Portland. Ray was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans. He was a former communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church and a former member of the Knights of Columbus. Following his retirement he and his wife spent the winters at Winter Haven, Florida where he enjoyed the Red Sox Spring Training. Ray and Marie recently celebrated their 65 wedding anniversary on September 18, 2013. Ray will be remembered as a strong family man. Ray was predeceased by a daughter Andrea J. Shirrell in 1949; two grandsons, Jeffrey Gadbois in 1976, Joseph Gadbois in 1981; a sister Rella Carter; brother Raymond Sherrill. Survivors include his beloved wife of 65 years, Edith Marie Shirrell of South Portland; a son, Frederick R. Shirrell and his wife Beverley of Portland; three daughters, Lorene M. Yates and husband Stephen of Augusta, Diane E. Gadbois and husband George of South Portland, Pamela J. Nappi and husband Peter of South Portland; 13 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Visitation will be held 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the South Portland Chapel. Rev. Dwayne Hopkins will officiate. Burial will follow at New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Those desiring may make donations to: American Diabetes Association, 45 Forest Ave., Portland, Maine 04101 or American Heart Association, 6 E Merrill Road, Lewiston, Maine 04240 or American Cancer Society, 1 Bowdoin Mills Island, Topsham, Maine 04086.Online condolences may be expressed below.