Raymond Joseph Brennan Jr.

Raymond Joseph Brennan, Jr.,of Richmond Rhode Island, Passed away at South County Hospital on the evening of January 22, 2020. He was 71. Ray was born in Providence on September 20,1948. He was a graduate of the Class of '67 at Cranston High School East, where he was a member of the Thunderbolts football team, vice president of the Thryus Club and member of the Thunderbolt Business Staff Advertising Editor. After graduating high school, Ray enlisted in the Army, serving his country from January, 1968 to January 1971. While in Vietnam, with 5th Special Forces, Green Beret, 101st Airborne Division, Ray received the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal,Vietnam Service Medal, Two Overseas Bars, Good Conduct Medal, Parachute Badge, Expert Badge M-14. He was Honorable discharged January 25, 1971. In October of 1971, Ray married his high school sweetheart, Pamela Gail Coppa, a member of the Class of '68 at Cranston High School East. In May, 2019 Ray and Pam took a long awaited trip to the Grand Canyon. They recently celebrated their 48th Wedding Anniversary at their favorite get away in New Hampshire. Ray entered the University of Rhode Island where he earned a Bachelor Degree in English, a Masters Degree in Library Science 1994, and a Masters Degree in Public Administration in 1996. He was a Doctoral Candidate with the North Central University in Arizona at the time of his death. In 1981 Ray's son Michael Raymond Brennan was born on Ray's birthday. His fondest memory of that day was when the doctor and nurses sang Happy Birthday to him when they handed Michael to Ray to hold for the first time. Ray was very proud of his son and his accomplishments. Michael has become a good, responsible man. Helpful, honest, friendly, husband and father. His last and most favorite job was seventeen years at Cross Mills Library in Charlestown, RI, as the Reference Librarian. He taught computer classes, helped high school and college students with research. Assisted many in writing resumes, completing applications for employment and what ever else the patrons of the library needed. He retired in December, 2018. He made many friends while there. Ray had a special way of making everyone laugh, feel comfortable and included. His son Michael married Thea Korytkowski in 2013. A loving addition to his family. They have two sons; Jameson who is five and Hudson who is three. Ray loved his grandsons with all his heart and spent as much time as possible with them. He was a hands on “Ompa”. He'd get right on the floor and build roads, car washes, towers. There were many trips to the beach, picnics, kite flying, or just a walk around the block. But Ray's favorite thing was to have a boy on each knee and read their favorite stories. As requested by Ray, there will be no calling hours or service. His burial will be private at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia with full Military Honors on a date to be determined by the cemetery.