Raymond I. Hastings, 90, of Danbury, longtime resident of Ridgefield, died peacefully on September 22, 2022. He was the loving husband of the late Ann (Wade) Hastings. Raymond I. Hastings was born on January 3, 1932, in Brooklyn, New York to Catherine Comerford Hastings and Raymond Miles Hastings. He went to Brooklyn Prep and then to Lakewood Junior College to join the Maryknoll Seminary.
Fortunately, his time at the seminary did not work out. It was after this time that he met Ann Wade through a blind date. As the story goes, a priest asked Ray and two of his friends if they would like to go on blind dates with three nurses. They threw the three initials in a hat and Ray and his friends each drew a piece of paper. Ray's piece of paper contained the letters AW.
He graduated from Fordham University and then was sent to Paris Island, South Carolina to join the Marine Corps. He then married Ann Wade, who predeceased him 10 years ago. He returned to Brooklyn, New York and worked for AT&T in the Woolworth Building. He later went on to work at the Reader's Digest in Pleasantville, New York and later in the Pan Am building. In the 1970s he started Fitzgerald and Hastings Real Estate, with Madeleine Fitzgerald, which became one of the busiest real estate offices in Ridgefield.
He is survived by his five sons, Richard (Alexandra, Katie, Zachary), Michael (Christopher), Timothy (Max, Sam, Lucas), Terrence (Jessica, Tori, Sara) and James. He is also survived by his great granddaughter, Sage.
He was a voracious reader and played golf three times a week until he was almost 90. His volunteerism in Ridgefield was experienced by many. He was the president of the Farmingville PTA and the Ridgefield Little League. He helped to start the Ridgefield Marine Corps League. He was on the Board of Tax Review and was a Police Commissioner for almost 15 years and was also named a Marine Corps League Man of the Year. He coached Little League, was a lector at St. Mary's Church, helped to design and raise money for the first fountain cover and help to fund and produce an anti-vandalism film.
We would like to thank the wonderful people at Keystone Place that took such great care of him.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at 10:30 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton Church; 520 Ridgebury Road, Ridgefield. Interment with US Military Funeral Honors will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Ridgefield. There will be no calling hours. Kane Funeral Home, Ridgefield is in care of arrangements.
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