Obituary of Matthew D. Ray

Randolph VT – Matthew D. Ray, age 41, passed away unexpectedly Monday morning June 5, 2023.
 Matt was born on March 23, 1982, in Oneida, NY, the son of Douglas and Lorie (Jowett) Ray.
 Matt graduated from Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School. He started at age 16 as a Jr. member of Sherrill-Kenwood VFD, and received his EMT certification at age 18. He advanced to the Critical Care level in 2003, and moved to Rochester, NY, to work for Rural/Metro Medical Services. Matt worked for 12 years in the Rochester and Corning areas. Shortly after leaving Rural/Metro he worked for HDSC Transport in Farmington, NY, as a FedEx commercial driver. While there, he earned his CDL-A license. 
 His love of the outdoors led him to move to New Hampshire, and the love of his life, Eve, led him to move to Vermont, where he was currently working for Gillespie Fuels & Propane. Included in his love of the woods and mountains, Matt was an avid trout fisherman, often stopping to fish on his way home from work. Matt was also an accomplished cook, and loved preparing and eating his catch. He spent many hours hiking the Vermont mountains and enjoying the wilderness.
 Surviving are his parents, his sister Erinn and brother-in-law Brian Maynard, and his three nieces, all of Williamson, NY. Matt is also survived by his girlfriend, Eve McLendon, of Randolph, VT, where he shared his life with her and two of her children. Matt is also survived by several aunts and uncles and numerous cousins.
 Family and friends are invited to attend Matt’s Celebration of Life to be held on July 1, 2023, at 1p.m. at Grace Ridge Church, 4984 Ridge Rd, Williamson, NY. For those attending, please wear casual clothes since Matt was a flannel shirt kind of guy.
For those unable to attend, the service will be simulcast/live streamed at graceridge.church/ls
Condolences may be sent to maleckifuneralhome.com  In lieu of flowers, please Plant a Tree or donate to your favorite charity in Matt’s memory.