SOUTH THOMASTON — Ray Merriman Sleeper, 64, passed away surrounded by his loving family, Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at the Sussman House in Rockport, following a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Camden, November 23, 1958, he was the son of Jesse, Sr. and Bertha Ripley Sleeper. Educated locally, he was a graduate of Rockland District High School. On June 23, 1984 he married Pamela Ann Watts in Thomaston surrounded by family and friends.

He was a member of the Atwoods Men’s Softball Team, as well as a bowling league. Ray enjoyed keeping active and spending time outdoors, serving for a brief time as president of the Snow Owls Snowmobile Club in Owls Head. Ray also became a pilot, earning his license with his cousin Ed Sleeper as his instructor.

Ray began his career as a lobsterman on Criehaven with Sonny Davis, and later with Parker Jackson. After Parker retired, Ray bought the boat from him, striking out on his own. Both of his children went out with him on many well-remembered trips. His daughter remembered Ray letting them save the extra things that came up in his traps in a bucket to explore later. When his son, Cyrus, eventually followed in his footsteps, becoming a lobsterman himself, they rigged a few boats together for him.

When his son was in high school, Ray was an integral part of his baseball team, helping coach and keeping the books alongside his good friends and coaches, Richie Oliver and Mike Tripp.

Always up for an adventure, Ray loved spending time with family, especially his children and grandchildren. He always had a crowd with him, wherever he went he would bring along his kids and their friends. There were Red Sox games, snowmobiling trips, Kenny Chesney music festivals, and many other concerts. At camp he spent countless hours towing kids and friends on tubes, water skis, knee boards, and a homemade disk. Ray also loved going on long drives to find new places while listening to music, and he always played his music loud! He will be remembered for his dry sense of humor and quick wit.

Predeceased by his parents, Jesse William Sleeper Sr. and Bertha Mae (Ripley) Sleeper, as well as his brother Jesse Sleeper Jr.; Ray is survived by his beloved wife, Pamela Sleeper of South Thomaston; his son, Cyrus Sleeper and his partner Miranda Levesque of Rangeley; his daughter, Jessica Baum and her husband Tucker of South Thomaston; three grandchildren, Quinn and Mina Baum and Adelyn Manecchia; his siblings, David Sleeper and his wife Cathy of South Thomaston, Sandra Zimmerman and her husband Bobby of Deerfield Beach, Florida, Renee Kennedy and her husband Robert of Lighthouse Point, Florida; his brother-in-law, Tim Watts and his wife Vicki of Rockport; his father-in-law, Bentley Watts of Thomaston; as well as many nieces, nephews, a large loving extended family, and many dear friends.

Family and friends are invited to visit Thursday, November 9, 2023, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, where a celebration of his life will be held immediately following at 7 p.m. The Reverend Wayne Sawyer will officiate. Ray will be laid to rest privately at a later date.

While flowers are gratefully accepted, those who wish may make memorial donations in Ray’s memory to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute at: https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2108&mfc_pref=T&2108.donation=form1

To share a memory or condolence with the Sleeper family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.