ROCKLAND- Captain Clarence Raymond ‘Ray’ O’Neal, Jr., 72, died Sunday, June 3, 2012, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport, surrounded by his family, following a brief illness.

Born at Valdosta, Georgia, March 29, 1940, he was the son of Clarence R. Sr. and Virginia McLeod O’Neal. Educated in Valdosta schools, Ray left high school during his junior year to enlist in the United States Coast Guard.

Ray’s military service brought him to Coast Guard Station Rockland, where he met his future wife, Sandra J. Rogers, when she swept him off the street by inviting Ray to a Halloween party. Unable to attend that party as he had “Duty”, Ray was persistent and kept calling Sandra. The rest is history; and after a brief courtship, the two were married in Rockland, May 7, 1960.

The couple resided two years in Rockland, before being transferred to Gloucester, Massachusetts. In 1964, they returned to Rockland where they have lived since that time. During his career with the Coast Guard, Ray was often gone from his family for extended periods on assignments up and down the East Coast and in Alaska. He retired January 1, 1978, as a Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate after 22years service with the Coast Guard.

Soon after his retirement, Ray began employment with the Maine State Ferry Service, Captaining ferry’s between Rockland and Vinalhaven. At the time of his retirement due to illness on April 1, 2012,Ray was recognized for more than 34 years service, as well as completing approximately (35000 +-) crossings without incident. Not only was he noted for his seamanship, but he was also self-taught in celestial navigation.

For several years, Ray also ran O’Neal Marine Services, delivering boats up and down the East Coast and to the Great Lakes. His adventurous spirit found him on two occasions, navigating tanker vessels from Baltimore to Maine. In 2004, Ray and his son Dale brought the ‘T-V Ann’ to Maine; a five day trip during which Ray’s son Dale remembered, at times when he was so tired he had to turn-in, his father could be found with a steady hand on the wheel, steaming the ship forward on her journey. Later, with Ray’s good friend and shipmate from the Ferry Service, Darryl Dobbins, the three men brought another vessel, the ‘T-V Duff’ to Maine.

Throughout his life, Ray was an avid sportsman. A devoted jogger, he completed two marathons and many races. Softball was another sport he loved, and he played several years on Men’s Leagues, as well as often played pick-up games with his family. An ardent Red Sox fan, his family said that he was all for that team when they were winning, but watch out when they were losing.

Last June, Ray was thrilled to be able with his wife, to take his daughters Teresa and Susie, on a trip to Valdosta, Georgia to meet family members and see his boyhood home. He also enjoyed traveling to Vermont, Pennsylvania, Busch Gardens, and Colonial Williamsburg, both in Virginia, and New Jersey to visit his son Danny and his family. His family said that while on those road trips, their father often enjoyed and sometimes demanded, silence in the car. Ray and Sandra also enjoyed many extended vacations to Hollywood Beach, Florida. During those trips they formed special friendships with other couples staying at “The Tide Vacation Apartments.”

His Maine Coon Cats, ‘Freedom’ and ‘Liberty’, held a special spot of affection in Ray’s heart. He also had a longtime friendship with his shipmates Darryl Dobbins and Al Barthlette, and for many years enjoyed a great friendship with Kenneth ‘Ken’ Black, former Commander of Coast Guard Station Rockland.

A 32 Degree Mason, he was a member Rockland Lodge of Masons No. 79, the Kora Shrine Temple and the Scottish Rite.

Other than his parents, Ray was pre-deceased by a sister Betty Virginia O’Neal Keeling. He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Sandra of Rockland; two sons, Dale and his wife, Kristin of Tenants Harbor, Daniel and his wife, Heather of Ocean Port, NJ; two daughters, Teresa Brewster and her husband, Rick of Rockland, Susan ‘Susie’ Thayer and her husband, Clay of Washington; two sisters, Elsie Rose O’Neal Cannady, Carol Anne Powell Kellerman, both of Valdosta, GA;11 grandchildren, Larry, Nicole, Zech, Logan, Dorothy, Brady, Evan, Danny, Liam, Shaughn, Cayman; one great-grandson Asher; and one great-grandchild due September 1, Jaidyn; as well as one niece and several nephews.

A funeral service will be held at2:00 p.m., Monday, June 11, 2012, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. The Reverend Seth D. Jones will officiate. A reception will follow at the funeral home’s ‘104 Limerock’ reception center. Private interment will be at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Road, Augusta, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bob Gagnon Cancer Care Fund, C/O PenBay Healthcare,22 White Street, Rockland, ME 04841, or the Humane Society of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841. To share a memory or story with Ray’s family, please visit his on line Book of Memories, at www.bchfh.com .