Obituary: Dewey Bohannon Raymond, 96, Of Norwalk

Information via Collins Funeral Home

Dewey Bohannon Raymond, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away Saturday, January 28th, 2023. He was 96 years young.

Dewey was born on August 6th, 1926, in Norwalk. A lifetime Norwalk resident, Mr. Raymond is pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 67 years, Nancy. He is survived by four children: Dewey A. Raymond, and his wife, Mena, of Norwalk; Antonia A. Arnowich, and her husband, Alan, of Norwalk; Donna M. Birchard and her husband, Robert, of Norwalk; and Lance Raymond of Bridgeport.

Mr. Raymond is the beloved grandfather of eleven; Dewey A. Raymond, and his wife, Lynnae, of New Canaan; Thomas R. Zisek, of New Britain; Daniel P. Raymond of NYC; Peter J. Raymond, and his wife Marianne, of Brooklyn, NY; Kimberly A. Iacovino, and her husband, Chris, of Norwalk; Elizabeth M. Lametta, and her husband, Alex, of Norwalk; Meghan M. Raymond, and her fiancé, Michael DeVivo, of NYC; Jack Arnowich, of Norwalk; Emily M. Raymond, of NYC; Jessica R. Birchard, of Norwalk; and Samantha P. Birchard, of Norwalk. Dewey is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Navaeh, Jade, and Carter Zisek of New Britain; Chloe, Olivia, and Natalie Raymond of New Canaan; and Maddie and Emme Iacovino of Norwalk, as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Dewey was pre-deceased by his parents, Dewey and Pearl Raymond; his sisters Margaret Kennedy and Dorothy Beckwith; and his mother-in-law Antonia Bellantoni.

Mr. Raymond was, in his own words, "the proudest Veteran you’ll ever meet." A World War II Veteran, he enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17. He was a Gunner, a Seaman, First Class aboard the USS Boxer in the Pacific Theater. He received The American Theater Medal, The Asiatic Pacific Medal, The Victory Medal, and the Occupation Medal. He was also among the first Naval forces to survey the ruins of Hiroshima after the atom bomb was dropped.

After the war, he returned home to Norwalk and worked at the Norwalk Tire Co., where he met the love of his life, Nancy, his wife of 67 years. He then began a 35 year career as a Warehouse Manager at Burndy Corporation in Norwalk while raising his beautiful family. Dewey also exceled in multiple sports, but football was his passion. He played semi-professional football as a captain for the Spring Hill Tigers, which spurred a lifelong love of the game.

Mr. Raymond found pleasure in the simple things. He loved his family more than life, and he was his grandchildren’s greatest fan, attending countless sporting events and school functions with his wife, Nancy. Their home was a hub for many family gatherings through the years. It was a home filled with love, where all felt welcomed and no one left hungry.

Dewey will be remembered most for his love of family, his indomitable spirit, his strength, his integrity, and his proud service to the country he loved. He was an inspiration to all who knew him…one of the last of The Greatest Generation and a true American hero. He passed away surrounded by his large, devoted and loving family.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 1st, at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew Church, 216 Scribner Ave., Norwalk, CT. Interment will follow in St. John Cemetery, 223 Richard Ave, Norwalk.

Friends may call on Tuesday, January 31, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Matthew Parish, 216 Scribner Avenue, 06854.