Raymond Schnieders died Jan. 20 with his son Jim by his side.

Ray was 84 years old and in the best of health until just recently. Residing in Burbank, Calif., Ray was still hiking and backpacking well into his eighties.

Ray was a World War II veteran who parachuted into France with a unit of the 101st Division in an artillery company. His favorite story was about when he landed he was in the middle of an open field with the Germans shooting at him. His company had landed many yards away and behind a protective stone wall. He dove behind a wheelbarrow-sized rock and had to spend the whole day waiting for dark and being shot at. That and not much else bothered Uncle Ray, as he was normally called.

Born in Milwaukee, he moved to California where he served in many capacities on the Glendale, Calif., fire dept and retired after 30 years.

His retirement was full of ambition and adventure. Ray spent years traveling the world including a month-long raft trip on the Amazon and wilderness adventures in South America, Russia, Australia, Alaska, Africa, and more. He even climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro on his 65th birthday. He was particularly fond of fishing and hiking in the outdoors.

Ray’s ties to the Vineyard go back to the summer of 1950 when his mother Elizabeth managed the Old Islander Inn in Edgartown. He was a brother to Jeanne Feeney of Vineyard Haven and visited the Island every year for the last 30 years. He was always found helping out at the family campground and just enjoying Island life. He loved Island fishing and clamming and he was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who asked.

Survivors include his son’s family, Jim, daughter in law Cindy, and grandson Rob Schnieders of La Crescenta, Calif.; his daughter Terry of Colorado; his sister Jeanne Feeney; and his many relatives in the Feeney clan.

Instead of flowers and donations, please give your favorite fisherman a day off.