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Raymond Bosley, Sr., a resident of Painesdale, passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
Ray was born on February 3, 1936 in Sault Sainte Marie Michigan, to Carl and Elizabeth (Oberlin) Bosley. He had five brothers and one sister. He was a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. While growing up in the Sault, Ray enjoyed music and participated in weekend gatherings of friends and family where music was played and dancing ensued. He also liked to remind his children that he once attended a concert in the Sault in his youth where he saw Jerry Lee Lewis open for Johnny Cash. Ray played high school football for the Sault High Blue Devils and was voted All-U.P. playing offensive guard. He recalled taking a ferry boat across the Mackinac Straits when his team played in Petoskey, which was prior to the construction of the Mackinac Bridge.
Following high school, Ray enrolled in the U.S. Army and honorably served two years while stationed in Alaska. He continued to play football in the Army, traveling to other army bases to compete with other teams. After being discharged from the Army, he attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette. While there, he met Ruth Quaal, a student from Ishpeming. They later were married on August 19, 1961 in Ishpeming and resided in Hancock early in their marriage. Ray and Ruth moved to South Range and then to Painesdale where they continued to raise their family of four children. Ray began a 38-year teaching career at Jeffers High School in 1961. He taught primarily Industrial Arts, Drafting, and Driver’s Education. He is remembered by his students for his humor and his expectation that they apply themselves to the skills and to the creative opportunities he presented during his classes.
Early in his career, he had the clock removed from over his classroom door, substituting it with one of his many inspirational plaques. That particular plaque read, “Time will pass. Will you?” Another of his many mantras for students was, “There are two ways to get to the top of an oak tree: Sit on an acorn. Or climb it.”
Ray was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Painesdale and Holy Family Church in South Range. He sang in the church choir with many good friends. Ray and his wife Ruth were both dedicated to their Catholic faith.
Throughout his life, Ray’s talents for furniture building, home remodeling, and building intricate model ships and small wood projects and games were always evident. He enjoyed building and using radio-controlled boats, and later on built and flew radio-controlled airplanes. Ray was also a life-long Green Bay Packer fan, eventually attending a memorable game at Lambeau with his sons. He also enjoyed attending the Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-In in Oshkosh, Wisconsin annually, for many years. In his later years, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren held a special place in his heart and in his life—always appreciating his time with them.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife Ruth; his parents; his son-in-law Michael Clouthier; and his brothers and sisters: Teddy, Donna, Carl, Larry, and Rick.
He is survived by his children: Ray (Kriss) Bosley, Michael (Anita) Bosley, Marie (Cliff) Dessellier, and Patrick (Jennifer) Beausoleil. Grandchildren: Elizabeth (Will) Williams, Andrew (Jennie) Clouthier, Sarah (Seth) Keller, Jacob (Elle) Dessellier, Gabby (Jake) Brenke, Bruce (Jennifer) Dessellier, Eric Dessellier, Shannon (Bob) Matson, and Lindsay (Justin Dueweke) Clouthier. Great-grandchildren: Adalene, Michael, and Ben Williams; Gunner, Teddy, Alex, and Bodie Clouthier; Tristan and Owen Keller; Gordy and Wren Vaskey; Gavin, Chase, and Brooks Dessellier; Mialy (Carley) Frauenhoff; Abby Brooks; and Donovan Dueweke. He is also survived by a brother Walter (Nancy) Bosley, sisters-in-law Sandy Bosley and Cheryl Bosley, and numerous nieces and nephews and other family members through marriage.
For the past few years, Ray received supportive care from the At Home Companions home-care staff and from Copper Shores Meals on Wheels. He also appreciated the assistance provided by many friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Ray will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 2, 2026, at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church of Houghton. Spring burial will be in the Mt. View Cemetery of South Range.
Friends may call on Sunday, March 1, 2026, from 5 to 7:00 pm at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church of Houghton.
To view this obituary or to send condolences online to the family, please visit https://www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Mt View Chapel of South Range is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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