Raymond C. Moore (Dad) was born in Cohoes, NY. His parents were Frank and Bessie Moore. Dad attended Heatly School on Green Island. There he met Ellen Elizabeth “Betty” Jacques whom he later married. He had three children, David, Linda and Karen which were raised in Watervliet and attended schools in the North Colonie School District.
Dad was a Navy veteran of two wars, World War ll and the Korean War. During World War ll he served as both a painter and a photographer. When called back to serve in the Korean War, Dad (when asked what he could do), said he could cook and the Navy said, “good-we need a cook”. In later years he used to remark to friends and family what he learned as a cook: “If it’s brown it’s cooking, if it’s black it is done!” He was honorably discharged.
Dad worked for the Bendix Corporation on Green Island for some 25 years as a brake mechanic and test driver. It was there that he was given the moniker “Chuckle Cheeks” because of his good nature and humor.
In his spare time he developed a second job buying damaged or non-working vehicles and repairing them. He specialized in Volkswagens Beetles, repairing and repainting them in wild colors which were the “rage” in the late 60s and early 70s. One of his favorites was a black beetle with purple fenders.
Dad was not one to shy away from a challenge. One day as his wife rolled her eyes, he towed into his driveway, a crumpled up 27 foot Airstream trailer that had rolled over in an auto accident. Although having never worked on one of these before, he replaced the exterior and refurbished every part of it as good as new. He later took his family in this to Airstream camping events for several years.
At one time Dad also bought a wrecked XKE Jaguar which he repaired and proudly drove around town. But alas, one day while hurriedly parking, he misjudged the length of the front end and crunched it up. After repairing it once again he decided it was best to sell it.
In the 50s, with the help of his father, he built his own home and later in the 70s, built an apartment duplex behind his home for his parents to live in. Again, not a carpenter, plumber or builder by trade, he could surmount any challenge!
After Dad retired from Bendix and his children were grown and married, he moved with our Mom from Watervliet to Del Tura Country Club in North Fort Myers, Florida where they both enjoyed many healthy and happy years in a country club setting in the Florida sun and humidity. Oh, how Dad loved humidity! There he developed another one of his talents, wood carving. Dad took up carving and painting very realistic looking song birds, birds of prey, cats, dogs and even a monkey! He eventually started showing his carvings at shows around Florida and teaching others how to carve.
After Mom passed away, Dad moved to Brookdale’s Grand Court Independent Senior Living in Fort Myers where he enjoyed a few years in the company of others his age. There, he met the final “love of his life”-Vicky.
Unfortunately, after being assaulted and battered by a one-time friend, Dad’s health declined necessitating that he return to New York State where his family could care for him. He spent his last remaining year at the Home of the Good Shepherd in Malta where he was lovingly cared for by staff and his children.
Survivors include his daughter, Karen Stevens, her husband Doug and their two sons, Jeffrey and Glen, their wives and grandchildren; his daughter, Linda Busdiecker, her husband Jimmy and their son Michael and daughter Tracey and grandchild; and his son David, his wife Byrl, two sons, Spencer and Trevor, their wives and two grandchildren.
No services will be held for Raymond as per his wishes.