Raymond P. Guthke, age 79, of Norwalk, CT formerly of New Canaan died Friday evening January 4, 2013 in Norwalk Hospital. Born in Brooklyn, NY on May 14, 1933, he was the son of the late Hubert and Irmgard Heiland Guthke. Ray was the husband of Mary Francis Compton Guthke.
He was drafted in to the Army in 1953 during the Korean War and served in the U.S. Army until 1955 when he was honorably discharged.
Ray worked in the business furniture market for various firms throughout his life. While he was working in Chicago he met and married his wife Mary on June 4, 1972. In 1976 they moved with their daughter to New Canaan, Ct. Ray also worked for several local livery services including Hoyt’s Livery and at Regency Limo.
Most recently, Ray had retired on December 31, 2012 from the Getabout Van Service as the office manager and dispatcher.
He was a member of the Masonic order of New Canaan’s Harmony Lodge #67 and served as Master and Assistant District Deputy during his many years as a Mason. Ray also served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the local Veterans of Foreign Wars. Ray was a former member of the United Methodist Church of New Canaan. He served at Boy Scout Master at St. John’s EUB church in Brooklyn, NY.
In addition to his wife Mary, Raymond is survived by a daughter Elizabeth Guthke Buckner of New Canaan, CT; Son in law Ben Buckner Jr, two Grandchildren Joshua Raymond Buckner and Sarah Elizabeth Buckner of New Canaan; 2 sisters Dorothy Guthke of New York & Kathy Rumery and her husband F. Ashley Rumery of New York. A Niece Alison Jacobson and her husband Greg, their three children Spencer, Kelsey and Hannah of Wilton, CT. Cousins Irene, Ruth, Charles and Karen and their families of North Carolina.
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday January 10, 2013 at 11 am in the United Church of Rowayton, 210 Rowayton Avenue, Rowayton, CT 06853 Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital, 24 Stevens Street, Norwalk, CT 06852. New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps. 182 South Avenue New Canaan Ct, 06840. Harmony Lodge #67 Of New Canaan 231 Main Street, New Canaan, CT 06840 or The Getabout Van Service 61 Main Street, New Canaan, CT 06840.
