Ray Garrett died on Oct. 29, his 62nd birthday. He had a heart attack while kite-surfing in one of his favorite places in Brazil. It was a beautiful day with steady winds, and Ray was excited to be on the water with his dear friends.

Ray was born on Oct. 29, 1962 in Augusta, Ga., where his dad, Jerry, was serving in the military. His mother, Peggy was a nurse (and he considered her a saint after having four boys and working in emergency rooms!)

He grew up in Delaware with his brothers Mark, Jeff and Michael. The four “boys being boys” rode dirt bikes, played pranks on each other and tried to stay out of trouble. In winters, the family traveled to Vermont and New Hampshire, where Ray learned to ski —a passion he enjoyed for his entire life.

Raymond John Garrett II was named after his paternal grandfather, Pap, whom he adored. Ray loved all his grandparents deeply and was happy to talk and visit with them as often as possible. Family time was precious, and he never hesitated to drive to Delaware, Connecticut or Pennsylvania for the next gathering.

At A.I. Dupont High School in Hockessin, Del., he was a talented wrestler. He was a two-time state champion and a member of the Junior World Team in 1980.

Being in and on the water was both exciting and soothing to Ray. He learned to sail and was always up for a new adventure with his friend John. Learning to windsurf became a passion that continued until he discovered kite surfing.

He graduated from UConn in 1987, and for a short time worked in New York City. After the stock market crash in October, he decided to follow his windsurfing passion and go to Martha’s Vineyard.

On Martha’s Vineyard, he worked in restaurants —making sure that his schedule allowed for plenty of time for windsurfing with his buddy Mel at First Bridge and enjoying an after-session Andy’s Lemonade.

In 1988, Mel invited Ray to come to Killington, Vt. for the winter. That started the 35-year migration between the Vineyard and Vermont (with one winter in Steamboat Springs — not enough vertical.)

During his hospitality career at the restaurants Navigator, Savoir Faire, Lattanzi’s, Sweet Life and State Road, he took immense pride in his work while adding to his cadre of true and lasting friends.

It was while working at the Navigator that Ray met Colleen. It was the days of hitchhiking, and if she missed the bus (which did not run as frequently in 1989!) Ray would drop her off on his way home, sometimes after sharing a frozen mudslide.

Ray and Colleen married at the Whaling Church in Edgartown and had an amazing reception in their sun-filled backyard. The action-packed years flew by, working hard and traveling to New Zealand, the Outer Banks, Maui and Brazil, and simply enjoying quiet time on their porch.

Ray and Colleen celebrated their 30th anniversary on Oct. 15, 2024.

His pride and joy was his house and yard. He cheerfully tended to the lawn and flowers — often until dusk. Standing in his shed and watching the animals playing in the grass and the trees gave him peace.

In Killington, Vt., he found a tremendous tribe of friends and enjoyed every day on the snow. For 35 years, he worked as boot fitter, becoming a certified pedorthist. He developed exceptional skills and had tremendous patience that allowed him to help people enjoy their time on the snow.

Ray is survived by his wife Colleen; mother, Peggy (James); brothers, Michael (Leah), Mark and Jeff; nieces Maddie (Nick), Tyler, Erin and Claire; nephews Ian, Nathan and Adam; great nephews Garrett and Alaric; and his in-laws, Jeannie, Johnnie, Susan, Heather and Tom.

There will be a Remembrance of Ray on Jan. 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Killington Grand Hotel in Killington, Vt. A June 1 gathering is being planned on Martha’s Vineyard.