Ross Edward Raymond, 73, of Ferrisburgh, Vt., passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, surrounded by the family he loved deeply.
Ross was born on November 12, 1952, in Ilion, N.Y., to Edward Raymond and Pauline LaVoie. He was a beloved brother to Paula and Mike Raymond and spent his early years in upstate New York, where he developed the quiet determination, curiosity and problem-solving spirit that would define his life.
Soft-spoken, with a playful sense of humor and a warm, unmistakable smile, he was above all else a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a kind, genuine and steady presence, a man who listened more than he spoke, whose love showed not in grand gestures but in unwavering dependability. His children and wife knew without question that if they needed anything, he would find a way. Anything broken could be fixed. Any challenge could be worked through. He was the kind of man who showed up, every single time.
Ross served in the U.S. Navy before returning home to New York, where he met the love of his life, Doris. Their lives together brought them to Vergennes, Vt., where they built their family home and raised their four children: Scot, Jessica, Keri and Brian. They were married for 44 years, and family stood at the very center of everything they valued.
Ross’s love for his family extended naturally to his grandchildren, each of whom held a special place in his heart. He poured his creativity and care into everything he did for them, most memorably the intricate, handcrafted toys he built for each child. Intentionally detailed, beautiful pieces, each finished with a carefully chosen wind-up sound box so that music and wonder were always part of the gift. Thoughtful, meticulous, generous and quietly extraordinary, these creations were a reflection of Ross at his core.
A man of many talents, Ross had a love for solving problems and working with his hands. He brought that same care and ingenuity to his passions, from mechanics to music. Known to many as “Blues Man Ross,” he was a self-taught harmonica player who played for the pure joy of it. He also took great pride in restoring a 1938 Harley-Davidson, a project that reflected his patience, craftsmanship and respect for attention to detail. Ross carried that same dedication and work ethic throughout his career, spending 30 years at IBM followed by another 17 years at BioTek.
Incredibly stoic in nature, he endured far more than many ever knew, yet continued to show up for his family with courage and quiet resolve. Through it all, he taught those he loved that life is defined not by hardship but by the small, meaningful moments. That while every journey has an end, in the end, it is the journey that truly matters.
Ross is survived by his wife, Doris; his children, Scot, Jessica, Keri and Brian; his sister, Paula, and brother, Mike; and his cherished grandchildren, Jenna, Ben, Olivia, Coen, Walker and Sully. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the things he built … and fixed, the music he played, and the love that defined him ’til the very end.