Raymond Schlesing passed peacefully on November 1st, 2025 at the age of 92, joining Emma with Our Lord in Heaven. Appropriately, All Saint’s Day!
He was born April 10th, 1933 to the late Lewis and Anna (VanThof) Schlesing, and is predeceased by his loving wife of 67 years, Emma (Tittle) Schlesing. Ray is survived by his daughter Cynthia (Thomas) Heagerty and son Rodney (Kim) Schlesing. He is also predeceased by his brother William and wife Florence, his sister Evelyn and husband Robert Burns.
Ray became a highly skilled Tool Maker, working at Stromberg Carlson and then joining Xerox for 31 years. He retired at age 62 in 1995. In retirement he drove the Senior Bus for the Fairport Baptist Home.
Born in the depths of The Great Depression, Ray was a surprise to his parents, already in their forties with two adolesent children. Young Ray was brought along wherever his parents went, often visiting relatives of their generation. Because he spent so much time with older people when he was young, he had a deep understanding and compassion for seniors throughout his life.
Ray was 19 in 1953 when his father died, leaving him to take care of his mother as the only child still living at home. He married Emma in October of 1955 and brought his bride home. Together they looked after his mother early on, and eventually started a family of their own in the same house where he grew up. Ray lived in that house for 87 years!
Ray always provided for his family’s needs, and also was eager to help others. This manifested in different ways, whether it was working part-time at Carvel Martin’s horse farm when the kids were young, lending his skills to two tool and die shops as they started their businesses, renting apartments he owned for a fair price, or volunteering to drive seniors in the community.
While work was a big part of his life, Ray took time for fun and recreation for himself and his family. He enjoyed camping in tents, trailers, and eventually had a camp near Branchport. He won awards for archery at the Genesee Conservation League. Emma and Ray liked to Square Dance, becoming Presidents of the Copy Cats and the Genesee Dancers. They took several trips and a couple cruises. He enjoyed playing the Organ. He raised chickens for a time, and won blue ribbons at the County Fair. Adept at running farm equipment, he had a John Deer tractor used for plowing snow and clearing brush. Ray loved dogs, especially Cocker Spaniels … He had 5 of them over the years. He had a beautiful baritone voice and sang in the church choir. He got the antique car bug, starting with a 1917 Model T Ford, then a 1930 Model A Ford, a 1925 Stutz, and a 1928 Dodge Coupe …. Lots of fun if they run!
Ray demonstrated the importance of doing our best, standing up for what’s right, learning from our mistakes and enduring in the face of hardship. Perhaps the greatest lessons came out of his last days with us, as dementia stripped away the man we knew. We learned patience and humility. We came to realize that any premise for anger or contempt is gone. All that’s left is love, gratitude and the promises of God.
Calling Hours will be held on Thursday, November 13th from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home (Egypt Location), 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Fairport. A Grave Side Service will be held Friday, November 14th at 1:00 PM in Oakwood Cemetery, Baird Road in Penfield.
Donations in his name may be made to Hospice or the Humane Society of Greater Rochester.
2 responses to “Schlesing, Raymond”
I will never never forget Ray from my time working at Fairport Baptist Homes. At that time I coordinated rides for residents when needed. I would call Ray and simply start humming Mission Impossible. He got such a giggle over that and almost always was ready and willing to help out. He was a very special guy for sure!! Rest in peace Ray, you’ve most definitely earned it.
Our thoughts are with Ray’s family and friends at this sad time.