Brunswick - Raymond Andrew Osterhout, 76, died Friday, April 23, 2021, at St. Peter's Hospital Albany.
Born in Albany, he was son of the late Andrew Joseph Osterhout and Josephine Gill Osterhout and husband for 39 years of Lucy Haner Osterhout. He resided in the Troy area all of his adult life. He was a graduate of Cardinal McCloskey Memorial High School. Ray earned his Bachelor's degree from Russell Sage College (SEC ‘76), where he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award in January 2001. Ray was proud to earn his degree working full-time while attending night school for thirteen years.
Ray began his 50 years in the financial industry at Troy Savings Bank holding many positions including Vice President. He transitioned to Farm Family Insurance Company as a Senior Vice President, before moving on to Wells Fargo holding the same position. Branching out in 2018, Ray and his partner Eilleen Vitarelle opened an independent firm, Peridot Wealth Partners, LLC in Clifton Park retiring November 1st 2020. Ray spent upwards of 15 years writing the Investors Corner for The Troy Record newspaper educating his readers on financial topics.
Ray loved golf and was known as “The Big Dog” with his golf buddies. Dinner with friends, travel with Lucy and family to many places including Cape Cod and Maine were special moments to him. It was not uncommon for Ray to bump into friends hundreds of miles from home when traveling. Conversation about politics with his mother-in-law Carol, or sports with family and friends were always the most fun debates for Ray, especially when it came to March Madness. Ray was always a Basketball fan, playing for his high school team, and eventually coaching for the Tamarac High School boys team. He also held season tickets to Siena Basketball events. Alongside his love of Basketball, Ray was a devoted Red Sox fan, and he liked to call his non Red Sox family members and jab them about the season. He was an avid reader, routinely reading up to four newspapers a day. Active in area volunteer organizations, he was a life time member of the Kiwanis Club of Troy, a member of the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce and a Director of the Society of the Friends of St. Patrick. Beginning in 2007 he was instrumental in establishing Patriot Flights, Inc., part of the national Honor Flight Network. He continued to actively work with the organization, providing flights for veterans to memorials in D.C.
With all of his accomplishments the number one joy of Ray's life was his family, highlighted by his children and his many grandchildren. Ray carried separate but equally loving relationships with his children. He enjoyed Tobogganing in Frear Park with Beth, sharing his love of basketball with Hillary, and road trips singing along to The Doobie Brothers with Andrew. While his grandchildren vary in ages, in recent years Ray enjoyed establishing a special bond and friendship, with his adult grandchildren Matthew and Sarah. He was a cherished mentor to them. While visiting family in Tennessee, he routinely enjoyed dress up tea parties escorting his six granddaughters individually for tea. Most recently he was proud to welcome his last grandchild Finn who was adopted just before Ray started his retirement leaving him plenty of time to bond and “steal” the first smile from his son's first child. Finn turned one April 22, 2021.
Survivors in addition to his wife include two daughters, Beth (Steven) Bodai, Tampa, FL and Hillary (Christopher) Chandler, Knoxville, TN; a son, Andrew (Nicole) Osterhout, Melrose; eleven grandchildren, Matthew, Sarah, Allison, Shane, Charlotte, Madeleine, Annabel, Lillian, Genevieve, Emmeline and Finnick, two sisters, Diane McLean, Troy and Joann Lowe, Albany and his mother-in-law Carol Haner, Brunswick.
In 2012 Ray suffered a heart attack. This magnified Ray’s outlook on life. He cherished every moment with family, witnessing two marriages, four births, an adoption, an engagement and eight more anniversaries with the love of his life, Lucy. Ray and his family treasured every additional moment they had together over the past nine years.
Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family. A public celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Raymond Andrew Osterhout to the Father Peter G Young Jr Foundation Inc, 428 Duane Ave Schenectady, NY 12304 or St. Peter's Hospital Foundation for Cardiac and Vascular Services 310 South Manning Blvd. Albany, NY 12208.
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