Obituaries
Ray H. Beach, 91
April 13, 2020
Ray H. Beach, 91, of Lancaster, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 13, 2020, at Conestoga View Nursing and Rehabilitation. Born in Lancaster on January 15, 1929, Ray was the son of the late Ray H. and Clara E. (Fisher) Beach. He was the loving husband of Colleen (Nolt) Beach with whom he shared 17 years of marriage.
Ray was a 1947 Lancaster Catholic High School graduate. He proudly serviced as a Corporal in the United Stated Army during the Korean War. After basic training at Ft. McCoy, WI, Ray was stationed in Mittenwald, Germany until his discharge in 1953.
Ray owned Ray H. Beach Painting and Wallpapering, Lancaster, PA for 29 years until his retirement in 1994. He was well-respected in the trade and especially enjoyed working for the Interior Design Center of Armstrong World Industries.
A long-time member of St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, Lancaster, PA, Ray served as an usher and was a member of the Men’s Club and softball team. He was a 36-year member of the Lancaster Liederkranz, a life member of the Riverside Camping Association and a member of the Rainmakers, The Elks Lodge, VFW and the Hillside Hunting Lodge, Roulette, PA.
Ray enjoyed life to the fullest and was proud of his beautiful family. He loved spending time with family and friends, playing tennis, volleyball, softball and pinochle. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting in both Pennsylvania and in the American West. Ray enjoyed sailing, cruising the Caribbean, traveling throughout Europe and wintering in Key West and Ft. Lauderdale. Ray celebrated his German heritage by eating, drinking and dancing in his Lederhosen at the Lancaster Liederkranz, where he volunteered as a bartender and painter. Later in life, he enjoyed getting out of the house to meet friends and have a few laughs at the Riverside and Rainmakers.
Ray was preceded in death by his first wife, Theresa M. (Zellner) Beach, who passed away on April 16, 1998. They were married on December 30, 1950 and were fortunate enough to celebrate 39 years of happiness together. Ray and Theresa are survived by four children: Charles R., husband of Sandi Lehman, Lancaster, PA; Cynthia L., wife of Jamie Bylotas, Harrisburg, PA; Eileen M., wife of David Blazek, Phoenixville, PA; Carolyn A., wife of Willi Pohl, Lancaster, PA; as well as 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Ray is also survived by his brother Robert C. Beach, husband of Nan O’Donnell, Morristown, NJ.
Due to the current COVID-19 situation, services and internment will be postponed. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you send a contribution in Ray’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or www.alz.org/pa.
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Condolences to the Family
May 12, 2020
To the family of Ray Beach,
I had the privilege to work with Ray at Armstrong in the room set studios as a photographer both at the Harrisburg Pike and Lancaster Square studios. He always had a positive and happy outlook. His work was first class and professional. He definitely helped create that Armstrong look to the sets. Those years were truly part of the golden advertising era of Armstrong. It was a privilege to know him.
Peace,
Carl Shuman
April 21, 2020
Blackie we are so sorry for your loss. We loved Ray! He will be missed! Sandy and Barry Kuhns
April 21, 2020
Coleen and Family,
Rick and I were sad to hear of Ray’s passng. Our deepest sympathy to all of you. Ray was such a great person. God Bless All.
Stoney and Joan
April 19, 2020
So sorry to hear about Ray’s passing. Will remember the good times that we shared with him and his family. Especially at Aunt Clara’s. Remember the box turtles? And every once in awhile we get to See Bob haha. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
David Stipe
April 17, 2020
Our deepest sympathy to you Colleen, and to Ray and Theresa’s children. He lived life to the fullest and will be missed.
Art and Chris O’Connor
April 16, 2020
Charlie, I am so sorry to hear of your father’s death.
His obituary shows his zest for life and how that has been passed on . My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
Love
Diane Patton
April 15, 2020
Sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. Enjoyed being his friend and playins tennas with him for many years. Sorry I was out of touch with him lately.
Harry D Aulthouse
April 14, 2020
Our deepest sympathy to Ray’s family. As parishioners at St. Philip’s for over 50 years, we knew Ray and Teresa both and am so sorry for your loss. Although we don’t know Blackie, she is a friend of my sister’s.
May God give you all comfort and peace at this time.
John and Nancy Straw
April 14, 2020
Blackie, You are in my thoughts and prayers. With sympathy, Ethel Nolt
April 14, 2020
I am thinking of you Blackie.
Casey Eddins-Thomas
April 14, 2020
To the wonderful Beach clan,
Please accept my heartfelt and loving condolences for Ray’s death. He was a wonderful man who lived his life fully and who enjoyed all that he could till the end. I have many fond memories of time spent with all of you and am grateful for those times and memories. Holding you in my heart and in my prayers,
Cynthia
April 14, 2020
Blackie, we were so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. He was such a wonderful person, and we have so many happy memories of times we spent together. Vance especially recalls their weekly trips to Root’s. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Vance & Carol
April 14, 2020
To the Beach Family,
Ray was a great friend and we will miss him, please accept our sympathy and condolences.
From Pat Anderson, Robert Anderson and Scott Anderson
April 14, 2020
Dear Colleen and Family, I am so very sorry for the loss of Ray. He was truly one of a kind, and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him. My sympathies and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Bonnie Bartlow