Raymond V. Ireland
IRELAND, Raymond V., 84, PRESQUE ISLE, December 21, 2012.
PRESQUE ISLE – Raymond V. Ireland, affectionately called “Razor”, 84, passed away peacefully at home with his family on Dec. 21, 2012. His incredibly rich life began on June 23, 1928, in Westfield, Maine, the son of the late Vernon G. Ireland and Hilda K. Ireland. He was raised in Westfield and attended The Ross one-room schoolhouse. He graduated from Presque Isle High School and played basketball on the Future Farmers team. He grew up working on his parents’ farm and loved telling stories about that time throughout his life. As a young man he enjoyed and excelled at boxing, he organized a bowling team called the PI Bachelors and a softball team called the Ireland Gazelles traveling throughout the County and New Brunswick. He also enjoyed playing cribbage and bridge, golfing and hunting with his friends. His greatest joy in life aside from his wife Bobbie and his family was the time he spent at the barn, training horses, his true calling in life.
He entered the horse racing business in 1955 and soon established his first stable – Ireland, Holmes & Dumont. Later, he owned a stable with Murray Kenney and Tom Perkins and raced in the first Maine Stake Racing Program. He was quickly racing all over New England, Canada, NY, NJ, PA, DE, KY and Florida. Notable and favorite horses of “Razor” included: Governor’s Choice, D.I. Sweetie, Persuadable, Fred & Barney, Pine Magic, He’s Ah Corker, and Kerogen. He developed an expert’s eye for picking out horses and excelled in the breeding aspect of the horse business. He continued to train horses into the year 2012, living his dream. He had many friends in the New England racing circuit but enjoyed the fairs in Maine the most. 2003 was a milestone for him as he was honored for his considerable contributions and support of harness racing in the Sire Stakes.
During the 150th anni-versary of the Northern Maine Fair, Ray was presented an award by the Maine Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association for 50 years of distinguished service in the horse racing industry. He was a long time member of the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association, MSBOA and the US Trotting Association.
He was predeceased by his parents; his son, Teddy Ireland; and great-granddaughter, Carly Rae Herrera.
He is survived by the love of his life, wife of 61 years, Bobbie; and his beloved sister and brother, Ethel Condon and Dick Ireland. His greatest joys were his children and grandchildren: Billy and his son, Jason; Teddy’s daughter, Cary; Kim, his wife, Wendy and daughter, Emily; Becky, her husband, Albert Martin and their children, Aaron and Jessica; Pammie, her husband, Gene Lynch and their sons, Nick, Toph and Benji; John, girlfriend, Lynn and his son, Jeramy; Sherry Plissey, husband, Lance and sons, Dylan and Jake. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Kayla Ireland, Ruby Herrera, Olivia and Aiden Martin, and Raymond Lynch. Ray will also be missed by his lifelong and best friend, Richard “Flick” Adams.
Ray is not gone; he is at the races.
A private memorial service was held on Dec. 24, 2012 at his childhood church, The Calvary Baptist Church in Westfield, ME. Donations may be made in his memory to Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association Scholarship Fund, P.O. BOX 436, Augusta, ME 04332 or The Calvary Baptist Church, PO Box 87, Westfield, ME 04787.
