Raymond J. Snay, 94
Raymond J. Snay, 94, a longtime Acton resident, passed away August 11, 2026, at Life Care Center in Acton following a brief illness.
Ray was born in Tewksbury on November 30, 1931, and raised in Lowell. After graduating from Lowell High School in 1950, he served four years on active duty in the United States Air Force, stationed in Germany with the 86th Fighter-Bomber Wing.
Following his honorable discharge from the service, Ray settled in Acton in 1955. He received his BSEE from Lowell Tech in 1958 under the GI Bill and later earned his MSEE from Northeastern University in 1964. He worked for several years at Mitre Corp. before beginning a long career as an electronics engineer at Raytheon, where he worked from 1968 until his retirement in 1994.
Even in retirement, Ray enjoyed staying busy and connected to his community. Many in Acton came to know him as a knowledgeable and familiar face at Rocky’s Ace Hardware, where he worked part time for many years before fully retiring at the remarkable age of 89.
Above all, Ray was a devoted grandfather who took great joy in being part of his grandchildren’s lives. He was always there to share his time, his knowledge, and his knack for fixing just about anything. His grandchildren fondly remember playing baseball with him, spending time together with model trains, picking out their first bikes, and bringing remote-control cars to him for repairs. These simple moments became some of their most treasured memories with their grandfather.
Later in life, Ray especially cherished time with his great-grandchildren, Natalie and Mason. He loved their visits and watching them run and play at Emerson Playground, a place that brought together two things that meant so much to him: his family and the Acton community he called home for more than 70 years.
Ray has been reunited in heaven with his beloved wife, Mary (Florio) Snay, and his two sons, Robert and Louis Snay.
He leaves behind his devoted grandchildren Mark Snay and his wife, Alexa, of Littleton, Christopher Snay and his wife, Megan, of Littleton, and Jennifer Snay and her fiancé, Matthew Iamelli, of Peterborough, New Hampshire. Ray is also survived by his beloved great-grandchildren Natalie and Mason Snay.
Ray will be remembered for his intelligence, his generosity with his time and talents, his devotion to his family, and the many quiet ways he showed his love throughout his long life.
At Ray’s request, a private burial service with United States Air Force military honors will be held at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Acton.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Acton. To share a remembrance or a condolence on Ray’s tribute page, visit DeeFuneralHome.com.
