Raymond F. Pickert

Raymond Frederick Pickert, 76, of Alfred, Maine, passed away February 17 in Scarborough at the Gosnell House, a division of Hospice of Southern Maine.He was born January 18, 1941, to Edwin and May (Nolan) Pickert. Raymond grew up in northwestern Connecticut, was a graduate of Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village, CT, attended Hartt College of Music in Hartford, CT to expand his musical talents. He was an accomplished pianist creating many of his own versions of music. He also enjoyed playing the organ during church services for many years. Raymond enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1963, and was stationed in Germany, California, Texas, Massachusetts, Ohio, and the Washington, DC area throughout his military career. During that career, Raymond received the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for meritorious service, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and National Defense Service Medal. Ray's impressive career with the Air Force was cut short in 1984 due to a disabling back injury. Ray was also recognized for achieving error-free data communications while assigned to the Communicatons Squadron in USAFE in the Spangdahlem AB, Germany, and was selected as an instructor for the Communications Squadron at Andrews AFB, MD. One of the students in his classroom was his future wife, Barbara.Ray married Barbara, and was blessed with son Edwin in 1971. They enjoyed numerous grandchildren over the years, and even a few great-grandchildren. They enjoyed traveling across the country to visit them all. Ray loved the holidays, especially delighting family with his Christmas displays and amazing cooking! He also loved his home, and had one especially built for his wife before her passing. Raymond is survived by his sister, Elizabeth (Dolly) Spadaccini and her husband, Morris, brother, Allen Pickert and his wife, Valerie, daughter, Linda-Marie (Kelley Colello) Jones and her husband, William, son, Randall Smith and his wife, Kimberly, grandchildren, Julie (Colello) Adams and her partner Chris, Sharon (Colello) Gendreau and her husband Matthew, Alec and his wife Alyssa, Nicholas and Jacob Smith, great grandchildren, Natalie and Gavin Adams, Lucas and Addison Gendreau, Alduin Smith, nieces and nephews, Dawn Lee, Michelle Rogers and John PickertRaymond has joined his loving son, Edwin, and wife, Barbara, and brother, William Pickert, who preceded him in death.Services for Raymond will be held on May 6th at 10AM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale, Maine. Burial with military honors will follow at the Oakdale Cemetery.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations in his memory to Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04047. Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com