Ray Carmines, Jr.

Ray Carmines, Jr., 96, went home to be with the Lord on March 28, 2024 surrounded by his family. He was born on April 26, 1927. Ray was a native and lifelong resident of Poquoson.

In 1944, Ray graduated from Poquoson High School and continued his education that fall at Virginia Tech. After 2 quarters in college, he decided to enlist in the Navy at the age of 17 and served from 1945 to 1946. In July of 1950, he married the love of his life, Beulah, and continued to earn a degree in Rural Sociology, graduating the following year. Ray will always be remembered as a lifetime Hokie and proud to be Bull Island born and bred.

Ray embarked on his professional journey at Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. where he devoted 36 years of service. He served as a design engineer for 12 years before assuming the role of cost engineer for the next 24 years until his retirement in 1987.

From childhood until he married, Ray was an active member of Tabernacle United Methodist Church. In 1953, he became a member of Emmaus Baptist Church where his wife was a member. He actively served there for 70 years. On July 16, 2023, Ray rejoined Tabernacle UMC. Always, he found joy in expressing his faith through music, lending his voice to both Emmaus and Tabernacle’s church choirs.

Ray’s passions mirrored his love for the water. He was often found crabbing, clamming, oystering, and fishing. When living on Pasture Road, Ray enjoyed working on his property and planting trees and flowers. He loved having visitors skate with him and his family at the pond behind his house in winter.  In summer, the family took many wonderful vacations which included visiting all lower 48 states and Alaska as well as parts of Mexico and Canada. These trips will be forever remembered as special times by his children.

Later in life, Ray continued his travels to several countries on tours throughout the world.  Another way he traveled in the U.S. and around the globe was skiing with the Peninsula Ski Club; he was a devoted member for 40 years. During this same time, Ray was happy to spend many hours ice skating at the Hampton Roads IcePlex.

Ray had several other long-lived passions. He was a faithful active member of the Poquoson Lions Club for 72 years. Most definitely Ray was an avid fan and supporter of Virginia Tech. Besides being an enthusiastic member of the VT Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) Society and the Old Guard, Ray loved attending VT football games to cheer on his Hokies. And what kept Ray so young was his everlasting enjoyment of music and dancing.

Ray is reunited with his loving wife of 59 years, Beulah Mae Moore Carmines; and his parents Ray Carmines, Sr. and Eva Freeman Carmines. His daughters will miss phoning their dad and hearing him answer, "Hello! Hello!"  He was a treasured husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who will be greatly missed.

His memory is cherished by his four daughters, Deborah C. Riggins (Bobby) of Bluefield, VA, Brenda C. Moore (Michael) of Poquoson, Eileen Ray Carmines Martin (Skip) of Mechanicsville, VA, and Carol C. Shupe (Terry) of Owasso, OK; grandchildren, Jamie Riggins, Kara Riggins Ringenbach (Michael), Robert C. Riggins, Erin Moore Gray (Jason), Michelle Moore Rodell (Drew), Ryan Moore, Ashley Ray Martin, Lindsey Eileen Scott (Brennan), and Wil Shupe; great-grandchildren, Olivia Ringenbach, Autumn Ringenbach, Cameron Ringenbach, and Piper Scott; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews all of whom he greatly adored.

A funeral service will be held at noon on Friday, April 12, 2024, at Tabernacle United Methodist Church in Poquoson with a reception to immediately follow at the church. Interment will follow the reception at Parklawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends and family from 4:00PM-6:00PM Thursday evening at Claytor Rollins Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Poquoson Volunteer Fire Company at P.O. Box 2404, Poquoson, VA 23662, the Poquoson Volunteer Rescue Squad at P.O. Box 2099, Poquoson, VA 23662 or a charity of your choice. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Ray's niece, Gail Moore.

Arrangements and heartfelt guidance through Claytor Rollins Funeral Home.

Online condolences at claytorrollins.com.

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