Date of death: 11/18/2010
Saint Meinrad Class: SPH 1952
Raymond Ripley, 76, passed away in Watsonville, CA following a lengthy illness. Born in Paducah, KY, Ray was raised in Kentucky and later attended junior high and high school at Saint Meinrad Seminary in Indiana.He served his country in both the US Navy and Air Force. Ray moved to the Santa Cruz area in the 1950’s and married Jeaninne Netto. The couple raised their four sons here, as Ray taught for the County of Santa Clara as an instructor of Heavy Equipment repair and operation. His career in that field spanned over 34 years.Ray was dedicated to his Catholic faith and attended both St. Vincent De Paul Church in Davenport, and The Shrine of St. Joseph in Santa Cruz, where he served as an Acolyte and Eucharist Minister. He was also a member of Knights of Columbus Council # 971.Ray enjoyed the outdoors and participated in extreme sports. He was an accomplished sky diver and member of the Golden Gate Parachuting Club. He also loved scuba diving.He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jeaninne Ripley of Santa Cruz; his sons, Michael Ripley, Mark Ripley, Paul Ripley, and Lance Ripley all of Santa Cruz; and his brother, Brother Philip Ripley O.S.B. of Evansville, IN. Donations in his memory may be made to “Jesus, Mary and Joseph Home” 132 Lenox St. Santa Cruz, CA 95060 or St. Francis Catholic Soup Kitchen, 205 Mora St. Santa Cruz, CA 95060. “