Raymond W. Elling, 94

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Raymond W. Elling, 94, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.  

Born on December 4, 1924, in the Bronx, N.Y. he moved with his family to Brooklyn, N.Y., in his teens. At age 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Seabees. He served in Okinawa as a pharmacist's mate, 2nd class, for three years during WWII.

Ray worked for 20 years as a corrections officer in Kings County Hospital. Upon his retirement in 1972, he and wife moved the family to Great Barrington, Mass., and opened a B&B, which they ran for 27 years.

He was an avid oriental carpet collector and loved refinishing antiques. He was a member of the Great Barrington Historical Society.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Josephine; four sons Raymond, Steven, Gene and John and their wives; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral notice: The family will receive friends on Friday, April 19, 2019, from 4-7 p.m. at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home.