Obituary

Raymond P. Pennoyer Jr.

Tue, 07/30/2024 - 11:45am

Raymond “Red” P. Pennoyer Jr., 91, passed away on July 25, 2024, at Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick after a short illness.

Ray, born on Oct. 2, 1932, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, earned degrees from Kiski Prep, Lafayette College, and the Amos Tuck Business School (Dartmouth). Ray loved life, and his outgoing personality, optimism and sense of humor led to lots of fun adventures and many dear, lasting friendships.

Ray was an Army veteran and part of the occupying forces in Europe after World War II. Returning stateside, Ray married his teenage crush, Shirley Anne Kimber, on June 29, 1957. Hanover, New Hampshire, Durham, Connecticut, Chicago, Illinois, Needham, Massachusetts and Trumbull, Connecticut are places they called home. 

In Trumbull, they attended Long Hill United Methodist Church and then Black Rock Congregational Church in nearby Fairfield. Devout Christians, for many years Ray and Shirley held an evening Bible study for young people that impacted many lives. Later they led a class for young married people at Black Rock Church.

A skilled engineer, Ray worked for a number of large corporations until 1977, when he purchased an existing injection molding plant in Bridgeport. Penn Plastics was eventually sold in 2012, but Ray continued to manage a small part of it, Everlast Pulleys, which features products that he designed.

Following the death of Shirley after 42 years of marriage, Ray married Sally Carpenter Sulik, a widow who also attended Black Rock Church. They were blessed with almost 24 years of marriage together, living first in Trumbull and then in Beacon Falls, Connecticut. Sally and other family members were at his side when Ray went home to be with the Lord. 

Ray grew up summering in Boothbay Harbor. “The Cottage” and Pennoyer Compound, crowded with extended relatives and friends, were always close to his heart. Times gathered at Candlewood Lake with the Sulik Crew were priceless moments for him. He also enjoyed tennis and golf.  Ray was an avid boater and loved to take family and friends on tours of the bay, out to the islands, and sometimes beyond. In the last years of his life, Ray dreamed of taking Sally out on a boat outfitted for his limited mobility, but it was time to go home.

Together, Ray and Sally’s blended family included six grown children: Ray Pennoyer III (Donna), Shay P. Cross (Glen), and Wendy P. Barrows (Jim), John Sulik (Patrice), David Sulik (Kate) and Karen S. Kish (David). Sally and Ray currently have 16 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren! Ray fiercely loved each one.

Ray is survived by his beloved sister, Anne Pennoyer Newcomb, many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and their spouses.

Ray was predeceased by his first wife, Shirley Pennoyer, his parents, Raymond P. Pennoyer Sr. and Edith Emmons Pennoyer, a sister Edith Pennoyer Vassamillet, his nephew Christopher Newcomb and recently by his brother, Charles “Chuck” Pennoyer.

There will be a memorial service for Ray on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 10:30 a.m. at Black Rock Congregational Church, 3685 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield CT 06825.  Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Boothbay at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ray’s memory to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and/or the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation would be greatly appreciated. “OK, gang! Until we meet again!”  

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hall Funeral Home, Boothbay.  To share a memory or condolence with the Pennoyer family, please visit Ray’s Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com