Raymond Alton Mack, Jr., 81, of West Bridgewater, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital.

Born on July 13, 1942 in Woburn, and raised in Reading, he was the son of the late Raymond A. Mack, Sr. and Marion G. (Wright) Mack. Ray attended Saint Agnes School in Reading, graduated from Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, studied philosophy and history at Merrimack College as well as theology at Saint John's Seminary, and earned his master's degree in education from the University of Detroit.

Ray made countless lives better and brighter in his 81 years. The world, near and far, was truly made a better place because of his magnetic personality and altruistic heart. He cared deeply about his community on both a small and large scale. He cherished his family and had an astonishingly wide circle of true friends. He made everyone he encountered - even strangers in passing - feel seen and heard and valued. He loved his life and lived it to the fullest - embracing knowledge and compassion at every turn. Love, acceptance and inclusion above all defined him.

Ray was a beloved teacher, in Oklahoma, Detroit, Wayland, and Easton - inspiring in his students a passion for history and civics and instilling in them an awareness that they could be instruments of change in the world.

Ray was also a long time real estate broker - helping countless families, particularly first time home buyers, settle into homes in Brockton and the surrounding area.

Ray was an unwavering advocate for causes near to his heart. From championing progressive changes in the Catholic Church, to protesting the Vietnam War and the War in Iraq, to helping those less fortunate - his commitment to activism and efforts to make the world more accepting, inclusive and peaceful spanned his entire life.

Ray's home was "the" meeting place for many over the years. From hosting family gatherings, community organizing events, movie nights, hootenannys with guitars and folk music, "coffee and conversation" mornings with dear friends, lunches and card playing afternoons, evening dinners, parties for both specific events as well as for nothing in particular - his home was the

source of much joy.

Like his father, Ray had a life long passion for music. He sang in choirs both in his youth and adulthood, played the guitar from coffee houses in Oklahoma to events with family and friends, and thoroughly enjoyed attending live music performances - often humming along…audibly :) He also relished politics, attending countless lectures at the JFK library, absorbing news on a

round the clock basis, and sharing his views on a wide variety of topics with anyone who would listen. Travel and embracing different cultures was also a vital part of Ray's life. From hosting foreign exchange students to developing meaningful connections with friends around the globe, his commitment to making the world smaller was at his core.

Ray is survived by his son Jonathan Mack and his partner Nicole Mann; his granddaughter Abigail Mack; his siblings Cindy Beebe and her husband Ken, Linda Mack and her partner Kimo, Brian Mack and his wife Denise, Sue Handel, and sister-in-law Kathy Keenan; as well as many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his daughter-in-law, Julie Ann Mack, and his brothers, Ron Mack and Paul Mack.

Following cremation, a Memorial Gathering will be held at the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 441 South Main St., (Rt28) West Bridgewater on Saturday, September 23rd from 12:00-3:00 PM followed by a Memorial Service in the Funeral Home at 3:00PM. Interment will follow at a later date at the Forest Glen Cemetery in Reading, where Ray will be laid to rest alongside his parents.

A Celebration of Life Open House will be held at Ray's home, on Sunday, October 15 from 12:00-5:00 PM - where stories, laughter and music will be shared.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute's Jimmy Fund to honor Ray's daughter-in-law, Julie Ann Mack.