Raymond Dennis Mandel, 78, of Durham, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 29, 2021, at Yale New Haven Hospital. He was born in Isleworth, England on April 25th, 1943, and was the son of the late Francis Ernest Mandel and Dorothy Rose Bio Mandel. Raymond served his country faithfully in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He worked as a pipefitter for Local #777 for many years until his retirement. Raymond was a brother master mason of the Saint Alban’s Masonic Lodge #38, of the Grand Lodge of CT AF & AM (previously with the Verity Lodge #59 in Washington State), the Triumph Owners’ Motorcycle Club and the American Motorcycle Association. He enjoyed riding, owning and looking at motorcycles; all types of racing, especially with the Mandel Racing Team; watching, playing and coaching soccer; ballroom dancing; steam trains and all types of heavy equipment. Beloved father of Jennifer Mandel (Richard Kowalsky III) and Sean Mandel (Jodi Peterson). Loving grandfather of Michelle Mandel, Rose Mandel, and Logan Jackson. Brother of Michael Mandel, Paul Mandel, Linda Mandel, brother-in-law Michael Smith, and the late Christopher Mandel and Joanne Smith. Also survived by his former wife Janice Mandel, father-in-law Joseph Finoia Jr., brother-in-law Joseph Finoia III (Brenda) and Michael Finoia (Cherie) as well as many nieces and nephews in England and in the USA.
The visiting hours will be on Saturday November 6th at The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, North Haven, CT from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, followed by the rendering of full military honors, and a Masonic Memorial Service. Interment will be held at a later date in Bedruthan Steps, England. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children (www.shrinerschildrens.org), The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org), or a charity of your choice.
I have known Ray from the Dance Community for many years now. The first thought that comes to my mind about Ray is….. Gentleman. He was also first & foremost a Gentleman. He was very kind and caring. He danced with all the ladies both younger & young at heart.
Angelique, Tricia & Ken were his instructors. All of them loved dancing with Ray. The last conversation I had with Ray just a few weeks ago was about Life. And how you just can not sit on the sideline. So the next time you are out & about please Dance a Dance for Ray.
PS: Ray I saw your Gaggle heading South-East Saturday night as I was getting ready to go dancing. What I thought was amazing was seeing the 20+ Geese flying off into the dusk during the pouring rain. But they did not have a care as they knew there purpose & trusted the Lord as their guide. IHS. Until the next dance Ray.
So very sorry for your loss 😢 prayers for healing 🙏 ❤
Lovely man who will be missed xxx
RIP Ray, the man, the legend.
Jennifer, Sean, Michelle, Janice. So sorry for your loss,
I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear of Ray’s passing. A loving caring family man that always made me feel welcome and loved. Now he is back in the embrace of his mother, brother and sister Jo.
XX
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Ray was my cousin but unfortunately we didn’t keep in touch as we got older. I remember visiting his family with my parents my mother was Rossi aunt Dorothy’s sister. I remember Ray and his brothers always outside messing about with motor engines. Very happy memories
Love to you all
To ray, who always had a smile on his face and all around great guy you will be sadly missed, may you RIP my friend!
A good stand up man. RIP.
Total pleasure to have known him.
Virtus Junxit Mors Non Separabit.
Rest in peace, my brother.
RIP Ray, hope you find a multitude of dancers and bikers on the other side,you will be sadly missed.
Ray was my brother in law, the brother of my dear late husband Christopher Philip Mandel, also uncle to Christopher jnr Mandel and Debbi Matthews, he will always be remembered for falling asleep at the drop of a hat,which we all found hilarious ‘bless him’.
We will pay tribute to Ray by making a donation to Children with cancer charity, which I’m sure Ray would totally approve of.
Our thoughts are with Jen, Sean and all the family.xxx
RIP Brother.
you will be in good company back with Mum brother Christopher and sister Joanne.
Jennifer, Sean, and all the family
We will be with you all in spirit on Saturday.
Michael, Pat, Jackie, Michael Jnr, Nicola, David, Stephan, Mandy.
xxx
Rest in peace Ray, go dancing with the angels.
Ray was my brother in law and brother to my late husband Christopher Philip Mandel,uncle to our children Christopher jnr Mandel and Debbi Matthews. We send our love to Jen,Sean and all the family at this very sad time.
Ray was much loved and will be sadly missed.
As a tribute to Ray we will be donating to the charity ‘Children with cancer’. Sleep tight Ray xxx ❤
Raymond was a great man whose love for his family and friends was unequivocal. Growing up alongside Sean from adolescence to early adulthood, Raymond was alway truthful, treated us with respect while teaching us to reciprocate respect towards others, and provided us with incite that has shaped my life and the life of others. Thank you Ray for your friendship, mentorship, and service to our great nation. May God bless you and your family and grant you peace. Until Valhalla my friend.