WESTFIELD - Ray-mond C. Lawson Jr., age 67, of Westfield, died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012, from injuries sustained that day in a motor-vehicle accident in Columbus Township, Pa.
Ray was born on Nov. 4, 1945, in Jamestown, N.Y.; a son of the late Raymond C. and Katherine "Kate" (Riley) Lawson Sr.
A 1963 graduate of Mayville Central School, Ray earned his associate degree from Coyne Electrical Technical School in 1965. He enjoyed a long career with Sears and Roebuck Company as a service technician, working out of the Lakewood, N.Y., service center, when he retired in 2005 after 40 years of service.
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Ray was very active in the Westfield Fire Department, where he served as chief from 1984-86 and held virtually every office within the hook and ladder company and fire department. He was also active on many committees including the finance committee, various truck committees and has served as an officer of the first aid squad. Ray was the chairman of the annual ox roast since 1984 and head of the chicken and rib barbecues. He had been president of the Exempt Fireman's Association since 1986 and was a past president of the department's past chiefs' association. Ray was also active in the county and statewide fire service, served on the Chautauqua County Fire Advisory Board, the radio committee and the R-Fire Program. He was a member of countless fire organizations includ-ing but not limited to, the state and county chiefs as-sociations and the Southwestern Association of Volunteer Firemen.
He was also a member of the Chautauqua Lake Snowmobile Club, where he groomed trails from 1979-88 as well as being a member for the Chautauqua Overland Ski Marathon. He enjoyed camping, snowmobiling, motorcycling, hauling grapes for Rammelt Farms and tinkering on his own farm. He was also loved dearly by his friends in the Amish community.
Survivors including his wife of 47 years, Felicia (Syper) Lawson, whom he married on June 19, 1965, in Mayville, N.Y.; and his three daughters: Dawn (Robert) Betts of Westfield N.Y., Rachel (James) Morrison of Westfield, N.Y., and Valerie (Dennis Odebralski) Lawson of Dunkirk, N.Y. Ray was the very proud grandfather of seven grandchildren that include Thomas and Ashley Betts, Taylor and Caleb Lawson, Brent and Court-ney Morrison, and Dennis "DJ" Odebralski. Ray is further survived by his sister Peggy L. Holcomb of Mayville, N.Y., and his brother, Frederick (Rita) Himes of Dade City, Fla. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Friends are invited to call on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, from 1-3 p.m. at the Westfield Fireman's Ex-empt Hall, 75 Bourne St., Westfield, N.Y., where the funeral will be held at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Mark Teets officiating. Family will also receive friends fol-lowing the service. Private burial will be at Mayville Cemetery.
Ray's family suggests memorials be made to the Westfield Fireman's Exempt Association, 75 Bourne St., Westfield, NY 14787 or to the Chautauqua Lake Snowmobile Club PO Box 134, Mayville, NY 14757.
Funeral Arrangements are entrusted to the MA-SON Funeral Home 37 Clinton St., Westfield, NY.
Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send Ray's family a message of sym-pathy.