Rochester, NY: Raymond F. Borg passed peacefully from complications of COVID-19 on December 27, 2020 at age 87. He is predeceased by his wife, Marilyn, and brother Alan. He is survived by his children: Lynda (John) Siemer, Eric (Moira) Borg and Karen (Brad) Large, grandchildren: Erin (Eric) Leuschner, Thomas Siemer (Jean Petrick), Anne (Christopher) Jordan, Michaela & Daniel Borg, Patrick & Jonathan (Dana) Large, greatgrandchildren: Jonathan & Claire Leuschner, Kaitlyn & Nicholas Jordan; sister Caryl (Carl) Brown, sister-in-law Betsy Borg and several nieces and nephews.
Ray was born and raised on Long Island, NY. He graduated in 1954 from Hobart College. While attending college, he met the love of his life, Marilyn (Lyn) Hoffman. They were married just shy of 60 years when she passed in 2014. His family was his pride and joy.
Ray enlisted in the Army upon college graduation. Graduating at the top of his Communications training class, he was able to choose his post, so Ray & Lyn were stationed in Hawaii for three years. Upon discharge in 1957, they returned to the States where he began his career as a salesman at French’s. Ray was instrumental in the expansion of Palmer’s Fish Market into Palmer’s Food Service. He also worked for Sexton Foods. Toward the end of his working years, Ray became a home health aide. He truly enjoyed the work and said if he could do over again, he would have gone to nursing school. He was always a “people person”.
Ray and Lyn enjoyed traveling the world together and playing golf at the Durand Eastman Park Golf Course. He was an avid gardener, sharing his bounty with family and neighbors. Many enjoyed drinking the wine that he made. His daughters were proud to be the coach’s kids as he managed their softball teams. After retirement, he could be found at the local senior center playing duplicate bridge. He will be remembered for his love of music, whether he was singing in a choir or whistling around the neighborhood.
His family is comforted knowing that he is finally reunited with his beloved Lyn and is now singing with the angels. Ray was a longtime member of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Irondequoit. A celebration of his life will be held at the church in the summer of 2021.
For those wishing to make a memorial gift to honor Ray, please consider the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 3736 St. Paul Blvd., Rochester, NY 14617 or Hildebrandt Hospice at www.lifetimecare.org/donate/ways-of-giving
Prayers and condolences for all the family from your friends at Resurrection Church. Ray leaves a long history of good works, special good cheer, and a very uplifting spirit. Like his wonderful wife Lyn, he joins the heavenly angels who are missed here on earth. May the memory of his love for family and friends bring you Peace and Comfort.
Prayers and sympathy to all members of the Borg family. It was my pleasure to know Ray during my years as his pastor at Resurrection. A man with a smile always on his face a song in his heart. At last he will be with Lyn in heaven singing in with the heavenly chorus.
My husband and I were welcomed by Ray when we moved into Chapel Oaks. He made us feel at home and was a great source of information and entertain,ent. I’m so glad we had a chance to get to know Ray. I was sorry when he moved out and so sorry to learn that he has passed away. Ray made the day brighter!
Our condolences to his family. Vandy Humphrey
Condolences from what remains of our bridge club. I am sorry we lost contact after your mother’s passing. We have fond memories of them both. Since the 70’s we played duplicate bridge with your parents at each other’s homes once a month. We have a surviving memorial to them in our house. You may remember a large jade plant on the breakfront in the dining room; it was hanging down the front halfway to the floor. Many times I told your dad he should prune it back. Then one time probably 25 years ago we came to your house and … no jade plant. When I asked what happened he said it was on the porch ready to be thrown out. I said I’d take it home, and here is. It gets pruned back every spring and it is still thriving.
My husband and I were members of the same bridge group mentioned above, and knowing Ray and Lyn was one of the many joys of being part of that group. Ray would have been a wonderful nurse; as a home health aide, he helped to care for my cousin at the end of her life. She – and we – appreciated his kind and gentle ways; he was such a nice person. I was a happy recipient of both Ray’s garden bounty and some of his wines.
On behalf of the Monday Duplicate Bridge Group at the Greece Community Center, I offer our sincere condolences to Ray’s family. In addition just appreciating his friendly presence at our games, we will always remember him as the “announcer” to start our games with his booming voice. May he rest in peace.