Raymond George Pfeifle, Jr.

Raymond “Ray” George Pfeifle, Jr., born September 11, 1941 in Weehawken, NJ, passed away peacefully at Novant Health/New Hanover Regional Medical Center of Wilmington on May 4, 2023 surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Raymond George Pfeifle, Sr. and Erna Anna Schmidt Pfeifle, sister Melanie Pfeifle, and wife Sarah “Sally” Pfeifle. He is survived by his wife of 32 years Linda Pfeifle of Leland NC, sons Raymond Pfeifle, III. and his wife Maria of Winchendon, MA, George Pfeifle of Shrewsbury, MA, Thomas Pfeifle and his wife Sandra of Fitchburg, MA, and Keith Pfeifle and his wife Sherry of Wilmington, NC, his daughter Kristi Pfeifle of Gardner, MA, stepson Joseph Sager and partner Samantha Ledford of Wilmington, NC, and stepdaughter Jessica Sager and partner John Chapin Jr. of Orange, MA. He also leaves behind 16 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Joyce Hosnander of Winchendon, MA and his brother Brian “Butch” Pfeifle of Winchendon, MA.

Ray, aka Skip or Uncle Skip, as he was called by his parents, siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews, was 1 of 4 children. He moved from NJ to MA in 1955. He then attended Narragansett High School in Baldwinville, MA, where he was a member of the Future Farmers of America. After high school, Ray served in the US Navy from 1960 to 1964 aboard the USS Rockbridge (APA-228), a Haskell-class attack transport, as a Radarman. After leaving the Navy, he worked for Gotham/Bee Plastics of Fitchburg, MA and Catamount Manufacturing/Thomas & Betts of Orange, MA. During his many years in Massachusetts, he was an avid sportsman. Ray fished the many lakes, ponds, and rivers of New England, especially the Quabbin Reservoir with his younger brother Brian “Butch” and his sons. When he wasn’t fishing, you could find him honing his archery skills, shooting skeet at the local Rod and Gun Club, or sighting in his rifle for the upcoming hunting seasons. Ray especially enjoyed bow hunting deer in the woods of New England and West Virginia, and hunting bears with his rifle in the deep woods of Maine with his friends and family. As a testament to his skill as a hunter and fisherman, the walls of his home were adorned with the mounts of his quarry.

Ray spent most of his life in Winchendon, MA, he and Linda moved to Leland, NC in 2014. He was a member of St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Wilmington. In his spare time, Ray enjoyed Nascar, gardening, spending time with his many grandchildren who called him “Grandfather” and “Lala”, and reading, especially murder mysteries and war novels.

Ray, Raymond, Dad, Skip, Babe, Grandfather, Lala will be greatly missed by all those that loved him.

Ray’s urn will be interred at Riverside Cemetery in Winchendon, MA on June 10, 2023 at 1:00pm with military funeral honors rendered. Following will be a Memorial Gathering for family and friends to come together on June 10, 2023 2:00pm, held at Faith Lutheran Church in Gardner, MA.

Please leave memories and condolences for Ray’s family by signing the Tribute Wall below. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 12 N 6th St, Wilmington, NC 28401 or Advent Lutheran Church 137 US-202, Rindge, NH 03461.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation – Leland Chapel – 525 Village Road Leland, NC 28451 910.383.3511