Raymond "Ray" Andrew Root

Raymond Andrew Root, 86, passed away on the evening of November 13, 2024. Ray was proud of his 30 years serving as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. He made friends with his customers, humans and dogs alike. When seeing customers out of context elsewhere in the world, he’d freak them out by saying “hello”, followed by reciting their street address. He had a great memory. Interestingly, his last mail route was his own neighborhood, and his children would tease his wife and favorite person, Dorothy, about the mailman’s lunch hour visits to the house. He retired from the USPS at 55, but preferred to keep working and became a teller for the Pyramid Credit Union. He was a lifelong union member, served as shop steward, and later became the longest-running health benefits representative for National Association of Letter Carriers. He attended meetings with newer executive board members into 2023, and in 2021 he was delighted to receive the local union’s “Man of the Year” award. He was in the US Navy for a hot minute in 1956, but his poor lung health led to an honorable discharge before he could tackle his intended work as an air traffic controller. His health took a sharp, downward turn in 2018. Leg edema required he use a walker that he would often refer to as his “shuttle” when he moved dishes between the kitchen and dining table. Right after his congestive heart failure diagnosis, short-term memory also began to suffer. Within a couple years, he also likely developed prostate cancer, though he refused a biopsy so it could never be confirmed. He never wanted to go into assisted living, but his incapacitation had become quite severe, so there was no other choice. Since he always enjoyed social interaction, we had hoped the presence of others would prop up his spirits. Indeed, he frequently fell asleep when family called or visited, conked out after being involved with activities in his new space. On the evening of his passing, Dorothy visited him just hours before he passed. Even though he was not there long, Ray made an impact with the staff and fellow residents.

Ray is survived by his wife Dorothy, children Patricia (Stephen) and Raymond (Karen), his sister Roberta (Joseph), and grandchildren Kristina (Jason) and Michelle (Alonso). He had many nieces and nephews: Theresa, Richard, Robert, Michelle, Laurie, Robert, Jolie, Ronald, Abigail, and Emily, all spread across the country that will miss him. Ray was predeceased by his parents, Grace and Raymond J, and his younger brothers, Richard and Robert.