Raymond Charles Powell
February 26, 1962 – December 11, 2018
In Memory of Ray Powell
«Baseball is about hard work, talent and strategy. But at its deepest levels it’s about love, integrity and respect» (P. Gillick.)
Raymond Charles Powell, 56, residing in Halifax, Nova Scotia passed away at home on December 11, 2018.
Raymond was born February 26, 1962, only son to Ray and Wilma Powell. He is survived by his two sisters Karen Miller (Mississauga, On) and Claudia Currie (Dartmouth, NS) and several nieces and a nephew.
Raymond was a passionate dog lover. He leaves behind “Cody-Girl” The love of his life, an 8 year old Black lab-mix.
Raymond had a very outgoing and enthusiastic personality with a great sense of humor. He was kind-hearted, the guy in your neighborhood that shoveled your driveway if you couldn’t, mowed your lawn, or helped you paint, if for no other reason than it was a nice thing to do.
In addition Raymond will also be remembered for being a very skilled baseball pitcher for over two decades.
Raymond played for Larry O’Connell in little league. Following his little league years, at the time there was no bantam league, so they created the Beaver League. After those 2 years, Gerard Doucette, Bobby Hartnett and Ton Johnson created an «Awesome» team called CHFX, with Kevin Pelley’s father, “Jack”, sponsoring them. This team was together for 6 years and won more games than they lost. Gerard the «Deuce» Doucette and Bobby Hartnett kept the team well grounded and focused.
The CHFX team went to the National Bison Championships in Provost, Alberta in 1980 but lost the bronze medal game in the bottom of the 9th inning. A heart break to both the team and their fans.
The following year Kevin Umlah, who played for years with Pelham Electric in the Nova Scotia Senior League, started his own team, thus the Halifax Capitals were born. Raymond was a key player on this team contributing greatly to their success.
Raymond played as a pitcher for the Halifax Capitals during the 1980s when the team went to two National Championships. The Capitals won the NSSBL title in 1985.
Bobby Moore taught Raymond a fair amount about pitching. This payed off greatly because in his peak baseball years he received the opportunity to try out as pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
One highlight of Raymond’s baseball career was a record he set in 1986 (documented in the NS Senior baseball league records). Raymond pitched an all-time league high for the number of saves (8) in one season.
Because of his high level of skill, Raymond was infamous for coming in late in the game and pitching the team back to a win. Coach Gerard Doucette said he would tell Ray to “just go in there and strike out the batter.” And he did exactly that many times!
Raymond is also mentioned in a prominent book about local baseball by Burton Russell called “Nova Scotia Baseball Heroics”.
Ray remained his whole life a dedicated Boston RedSox Fan, and enjoyed every opportunity he could get to go see them play.
Recently, Ray was coaching youth softball in Halifax and he too returned to play softball this past year.
So now Raymond we hope its time again for you:
» Play Ball »
A memorial service will be held for Raymond on May 31, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Dartmouth Funeral Home.
Raymond will be interred at Evergreen Cemetery in Aspen, Guysborough County NS on June 1, 2018 with his parents Ray and Wilma Powell.
SERVICES
Memorial Service
Friday, May 31, 2019
Dartmouth Funeral Home
29 Queen Street
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 1E9
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Raymond Charles Powell February 26 1962 December 11 2018..
Décès pour la Ville: Dartmouth, Province: Nova Scotia