Raymond M "Ray" Berra

Raymond Marion “Ray” Berra, of Port Huron, died Friday, April 4, 2025 of natural causes.

He was born September 13, 1933 in Detroit, MI to the late Mario “Mike” and Dorothy Berra. He married Mary Kathyrn Ryan in St. Joseph Catholic Church in September of 1955.

Ray graduated from Marysville High School, where he excelled in Football, Baseball, and Track. He then attended the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1957. A lifelong learner, Ray furthered his education with an MBA from Central Michigan University and attended the prestigious Graduate School of Management at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

Like many engineers in the late 1950s, California beckoned, and Ray accepted a position with Hughes Aircraft in Culver City. After settling in Los Angeles, he brought his young wife and two small sons to join him. During their time in California, a third son was born. Over the course of his career, Ray spent more than 45 years in management and engineering roles with several companies, including Electric Autolite, Prestolite, Mueller Brass, and United Technologies. His work took him to locations across the country, including Los Angeles, Port Huron and Ann Arbor, Michigan, Hazleton, Pennsylvania, Lexington, Kentucky, and Fort Wayne, Indiana. Ray ultimately capped off his career as president of Baker Electric, where he enjoyed the employees and the community.

Ray was a gifted athlete with a passion for sports throughout his life. He played slo-pitch softball for many years and was a member of the Industrial Hockey League, where he competed for the Prestolite Cable Team. Ray was also an avid golfer, maintaining an active presence in the golfing community. He was a member of both the Black River Country Club in Port Huron and the Estero Country Creek Golf Club in Florida, where he impressively shot his age well into his 80s. In addition, Ray enjoyed saltwater fishing with his grandchildren.

Ray valued his Catholic faith and was a devoted member of St. Stephen Catholic Church in Port Huron and Our Lady of Light in Estero, Florida, where he was actively involved for many years.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Mary; five children, Patrick (Lisa) Berra of Bay City, Gregory (Robin) Berra of Port Huron, David (Leslie Moore) Berra of Northport, Florida, Susan (James) Lamphere of Beverly Hills and Kathleen (Scott ) Cannard of Tallahassee, Florida; nine grandchildren, Dr. Tiffani (Bryan) Asuncion, Lindsay Berra, Ryan Berra, Michael Berra, Elizabeth Berra, Hope Lamphere, Nolan Lamphere, William Cannard and Max Cannard; two great grandchildren, Aubree and Ava; and his brother, Dr. P. Bruce Berra (Dr. Lorraine Duvall) of Keene, New York.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 11, 2025 in the Mt. Hope Cemetery Chapel. Deacon Dennis Crimmins will officiate.

Arrangements are by Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home. To send condolences, visit karrersimpson.com