Raymond C. Osterman

Sutton--Raymond Osterman, 68, passed peacefully on January 30, 2018, with his family at his bedside. Ray was born in Sutton February 7, 1949, to the late Chester and Constance (Branowicki) Osterman, and was raised in Northbridge.  He attended Whitinsville Christian School and graduated from Northbridge High School in 1967.    He was a member of the Pleasant Street Christian Reformed Church, and later Northbridge Center Congregational Church, where he served as a deacon. 
  

   Ray was a hard worker.  He started by working Saturdays with his grandfather,  and working at Inglewood Nursing Home, which was owned by his parents, and where he spent his early years before moving to the farm at Adams corner.   He also worked at local farms and factories. 

      Ray went off to Westminster College and then Worcester State College, but his true love was dirt.   While going to school he worked at Pine Tree Trust, CK Smith, Osterman Gas, and later plowing snow and hauling gravel for Worcester Sand and Gravel, and other area businesses.  Ray worked for Malinowski Demolition prior to starting his own excavation business.  He owned and operated Amsterdam Warsaw Construction  from 1972 until 1978, when he began work as an operator for  DeFalco Concrete.  He was a proud member of Local 170 Teamsters for 16 years.  In 1994 he began his employment as an operator for Lane Trap Rock in Oxford and became a proud member of Local 4 International Union of Operating Engineers.  He retired in 2011. Ray truly loved his work and instilled his love of the trades to his sons, of whom he was very proud.

     In 1975, Ray married Linda Kalonas, the girl next door.  They were together for 42 years.   In 1980, they bought a house in Sutton.  They had four sons, Joshua and wife Melanie , Jesse and wife Kimberly,  Jeremiah and fiancee Stephanie Paglione,  Jonathan and fiancee, Kristen Wagner.  He leaves six beautiful grandchildren; Ashton, Ellie, Dylan, Jack, Nolan and Kyle.  Ray leaves his brother JP, and wife Donna, and son Zachariah; his sister Cindy Menard, her husband David ,  and their sons,  David and Jason.   Ray was predeceased by his brother and best friend, Chester (Chiefy), in 1979, and leaves his sister-in-law Dawn, and their children; Chester III, Heather Osterman (Westbury),  Jodi Bernard and Nathan, their spouses and children. He also leaves many close in-laws, nieces,  nephews,  and cousins;  especially his close friend and brother-in-law, John Ramian, and nephew Mike Ramian, who was like another son to him.

     Ray, Linda, and the boys spent many summer vacations in Vinalhaven Maine and later Lake George, New York, in the Adirondacks, where they own a cottage and cabins in Schroon Lake.  He enjoyed boating on the lake and sitting on the front porch, until his mobility began to decline. Ray and Linda travelled to Florida, where Ray had a special love of the Florida Keys. He enjoyed train travel, and had many adventures.

     Ray worked hard and played hard. His body suffered  the effects of years in a stone quarry. He had stopped traveling but was very happy staying home in Sutton, where he  could spend time with his boys, who meant the world to him.  

     Ray died of Cholangiocarcinoma, and was cared for by his wife as well as VNA Care Hospice. Ray wanted to die with dignity and he did.  He had the opportunity to choose his final path, and he did this wisely. Many thanks to Regina, Joanna, Dr. Lawrence and Dr. Ali, for the warm and Compassionate Care, and for respecting his wishes.

     We will celebrate his life on his birthday,  February 7th,  at 11 AM, at  the First Congregational Church, 307 Boston Road, Sutton.  A reception will follow at The Dudley Gendron American Legion Post, Boston Rd.  Please omit flowers and consider a memorial donation to:  VNA Hospice & Palliative Care, Fund Development Office, 199 Rosewood Dr., Suite 180, Danvers, MA 01923.

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