Raymond A. "Ray" Kohler, 89, of Bradford, passed away Saturday, October 15, 2016, at Hamot Medical Center, in Erie.
He was an orphaned child who grew up in The Bradford Children's Home, his date of birth was unknown and thus celebrated his birthday on February 14th.
Ray enlisted in the United States Army on February 14, 1944 and served with Squadron R 350 2nd AAF Base Unit, on one occasion and the 22nd Bomb Group 1st Air Division on another occasion before being honorably discharged on December 3, 1946.
He was a member and Past Commander of the American Legion, a member of the Rotary Club of Bradford and a former member of the YMCA in Olean.
After his stint in the military, Ray began his employment at Alcas Cutlery in Olean, where he eventually became part owner in the company. After retiring from Alcas Cutlery he went on to operate and co-owned Kohler Seamless Gutters and NBS Trucking with his son John.
Ray enjoyed the outdoors and especially loved hunting, golfing, splitting wood and growing 'enormous' pumpkins. He was an avid Buffalo Bills fan and rarely missed a game. He was also an auto racing enthusiast and worked on a race team for several years .He was a loving father and grandfather, he loved spending time with his family.
Ray is survived by his wife Vera, one daughter, Teri (Wayne) Basket of TN, one son, John (Mim) Kohler, of TN, one step daughter Sherri (Jeff) Lapcevich of Canada, three step sons, Mark (Pat) Frederick, John Sandy, and David Frederick all of Limestone, one step son-in-law, Jay Weitzel of Salamanca, 12 grandchildren, Brittney Kohler, Kaylee Burgess, Christopher Burgess, Adam Weitzel, Jerico Weitzel, Cayden Lapcevich, Treyten Lapcevich, Ryden Lapcevich, Jayen Lapcevich, Brent Frederick,Sarea Frederick, Michael Frederick, and Serena Frederick, and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Kay Kohler and one step daughter Robin Weitzel.
Family will be receiving friends on Saturday, October 29, 2016 from 11:00am to 1:00pm in the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes, Inc., 372 East Main St., where funeral and committal services will be held with Rev. W. LeRoy Beckes, retired Presbyterian Pastor, officiating.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to Big Brothers - Big Sisters, 994 Beaver Drive, DuBois, PA 15801, with all the donations designated for the Bradford Community, Bradford Area School District, Attn; Raymond Kohler Trust, 150 Lorana Ave., Bradford, PA 16701, In Memory of Ray Kohler, Bradford Family YMCA, 59 Boylston Street, Childhood Development , Bradford, PA 16701.
On line condolences may be made at www.hollenbeckcahill.com