Plan for the Future
Raymond Boyd, AT&T research engineer and devoted family man, passed away July 5 at Arden Courts, near his long-time home in Summit.
Mr. Boyd was born in Orange, New Jersey in 1932, son of Raymond and Claire Boyd. He attended Xavier High School in Manhattan where he excelled in mathematics. He then attended MIT for one year prior to acceptance into The Coast Guard Academy. After graduating from the Academy with a bachelors of science in 1954, he served until 1964 and attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
While at the Academy in New London, Connecticut, he met and courted Sheila Sullivan, whom he married in 1955. They settled in Summit, New Jersey, where they raised their four children.
In 1958 he began his career as an engineer with Bell Labs’ groundbreaking telecommunication R&D facility in New Providence. At Bell, he became a member of the Distinguished Technical Staff. He also earned a masters of science in Engineering Mechanics from New York University, and a masters of science in Mathematics from Stevens Institute of Technology.
After the death of his first wife, he was blessed with the company of Marlene Gillow. They shared a deep friendship, love of family and an active social life. They were married in 1996.
He was a man of many accomplishments and interests. He received the Joseph P. Hadley Leadership Service Award for his volunteer work at the Summit YMCA. Later in life he became a master gardener. He loved sports and was an accomplished paddle tennis player at Clearwater Club.
Most of all, he was a moral compass and role model for his family. He was a devoted caregiver to various family members over the years and an eager contributor of capable help to family, friends and strangers in projects big and small. He will be remembered for his generosity, compassion, wisdom and cheerful company.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey in Hillside (www.cfbnj.com) and the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children in Newark (www.sficnj.com).
He is survived by his wife Marlene; a brother, Ronald (Mary Anne); sons, Peter (Martha) and David; daughter Julianne (Tom); stepsons Marty Gillow (Katy) and Paul Gillow (Saliann); stepdaughter Marianne Gillow (Gerry); and 12 grandchildren. He is predeceased by Sheila and a son, Timothy.
A funeral mass will be held 9:30 a.m. July 23 at St. Teresa’s at 306 Morris Avenue, Summit. Family and friends will gather for a reception following the mass. For more information or to send condolences to family, please visit www.www.bradleyfuneralhomes.com