Raymond "Ray" A. John Sr.

Raymond A. John Sr., 77, of 545 West St., Watertown, passed March 7, 2018 at his home where he was surrounded his family.

The funeral service will be held 7 p.m. Monday, March 12 at the Hart & Bruce Funeral Home.

Calling hours will precede the funeral on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will take place in the N. Watertown Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

He was born on March 5, 1941 in Canada, son of Arthur and Vera (Barnhardt) John.  He moved to the U.S. at an early age and attended Watertown schools. 

His love for music began as a teenager and continued throughout his life.  He played the guitar, keyboard and sang at various benefits, fundraisers and events throughout the North Country with his band Ray John and the Wanderers and the Ray John Band.

He also owned an operated his own construction company, known as Ray John’s Construction Co. for several years building many homes in the local area.

His first marriage to Joann Beaumont and mother of four of his children ended in divorce.  He then married Patricia Putnam who was the mother of three of his children.  She passed away before him.  He later met Penny Hicks who has been his companion for the past 27 years.

Ray was a member of the Eagles Club.

Among his survivors are his long time companion and best friend, Penny Hicks, Watertown and her daughter and son in law, Genesee and Gary Brinker, Watertown, her son, Matthew Shaver, Schenectady, four grandchildren, Skylar Madison, Liberty and Jackson.  Ray’s seven children, Rhonda Grey, Carolyn Sanford, Dexter, Karen John, Dexter, Steven John, Dexter, Denise Johnson, Elmira and her children Jacqueline Wright and Whitney Johnson, Darlene and Larry Bergfield, Dexter and their children Joseph Bell, Jada Bell and Brandon Bergfield, Raymond John Jr., Watertown and his son Tyler John, three sisters and a brother in law, Eleanor VanEpps, Watertown, Marilyn Davis, FL, Sandra and Joe Foster, Watertown, a brother and sister in law, Ronald and Judy John, FL, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents he was predeceased by two brothers Aaron and Sheridan John,  two nephews, John Granger Jr and Patrick Foster and a niece Heather Foster.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made c/o Hart and Bruce Funeral Home 117 N. Massey St., Watertown, NY 13601 to assist with expenses.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartadbrucefh.com

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