Ray T. Mentzer, Jr., 90, of Andover, CT, beloved husband and sweetheart of Barbara Spillman Mentzer passed away peacefully Thursday, March 28, 2024. His wife and friends were by his side. Ray was born November 12, 1933 and was the son of the late Ray T. Mentzer Sr. and Dorothy Frazier Mentzer. It was not long before the family moved to Havertown, PA where Ray attended school, graduating from Haverford High in 1952. While there he played the clarinet in the marching band and for a short time his favorite, the snare drum. Playing Haverford basketball with great teammates and winning the Philadelphia Suburban 1 championship was extremely gratifying to him. A highlight of Ray's overall educational experience was a year at Lawrenceville Prep in NJ. He continued to play basketball and was thrilled to help bring home the NJ State Prep championship. In 1956 Ray graduated from Princeton University with a degree in clinical psychology. He particularly enjoyed rowing with the lightweight crew and, again, playing the clarinet in the marching band. As a member of Cannon Club he roomed with 11 suitemates, establishing many lasting relationships. After Princeton, Ray went on to earn his doctorate at Purdue University in 1961.

He took his first job as a clinical psychologist at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Brockton, MA, providing assessment and treatment services. Once again he made life-long friendships with colleagues. Ray always wanted to help the most people possible. This motivated him to take on the role of Founding Executive Director of Self-Help, Inc., an anti-poverty agency located in Brockton, MA. It was here in the summer of 1968 that he met an eager volunteer Head Start applicant named Barb. From Massachusetts, Ray moved to Connecticut in the early 1970's to help build another community service organization from the ground up. He was the first Executive Director of Wheeler Clinic, a community health center located in Plainville, CT. It currently provides behavioral and specialty health care for all ages in 30 locations. Barb followed Ray to Connecticut and, after a 25 year "whirlwind courtship," he married the love of his life in 1993. Ray and Barb cherished each day together, and theirs is a forever love.

Time with family and friends was dear to Ray's heart. Traditional gatherings for Christmas in Danville, PA and visits to his parent's home in Ocean City, NJ brought him much joy. His one-on-one time with his cousins as they were growing up was a priority for him. He listened, comforted, guided. These same skills would serve him well years later when engaged in a small private practice. To friends who were struggling he gave encouragement and lightened their load with humor. Ray loved his dogs, delighted in hand taming chickadees, and worked diligently at organic gardening. He always had great admiration and respect for military veterans and actively honored them for their service to our country. In 2006, God blessed Ray mightily when he met Ashley Camp, a young man who became like a son to him and Barb.

Ray is survived by his devoted wife, Barb, numerous cousins of the Vincent, Masteller, Curry, Fry, and Cope families, Ashley Camp, his wife Vallen, and their baby, Juniper.

In celebration of Ray's life a service will be held on Saturday, April 27th, 2024 at 11:00 at First Church of Christ in Wethersfield, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ray's memory may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation or Shriners Hospital.

The family would like to thank administrative and nursing staff of the Manchester Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center for their good natured, skilled and caring attention to Ray's needs and comfort during his stay with them.

Funeral Home Website: www.dillonbaxter.com