Raymond “Ray” L. Cebula, 78, of Mattapoisett, passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. He was a brave and courageous man right up until the end of his life. He was husband to his loving and devoted wife Mary Ann Cebula for 54 years.
Born in Springfield, MA, son of the late Leo and Evelyn (Winiarski) Cebula, he was raised in Western Massachusetts before settling in Mattapoisett where he resided for 43 years.
Raymond was a passionate outdoorsman. He believed in preservation of our local woods, trails, and oceans. He was an avid fisherman, something he passed on to his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed boating and exploring Buzzards Bay and the Islands. Ray loved hunting for Elk and Deer and enjoyed many hunts on Ranches across the country and Canada.
Ray graduated with a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Western New England University. He worked for Spalding before joining Titleist and Foot-Joy Worldwide where he spent most of his career. Ray retired as Vice President of Engineering, Technology, and Manufacturing. He was responsible for the expansion of the Titleist Ball Plants across New Bedford. Ray was a mentor to many at Titleist and was appreciated as an advocate for all people within the organization. Raymond believed in giving back to his community and was a member of the New Bedford Chamber of Commerce, the Mattapoisett Land Trust, and volunteered for the American Cancer Society.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann; his daughters, Jennifer Secrest and her husband Jarrard of San Antonio, TX, and Dawn Cormier and her husband Shaun of Mattapoisett; his brother Alan Cebula of Louisville, KY; his grandchildren, Adrian Cebula, Haley Secrest, Noah Cormier, and Lucas Cormier; his sister-in-law Terry Cebula his best friends Kathy and John Schneider; and many other close friends and family members.
He is predeceased by his brother and best friend Bob Cebula.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Memory of Raymond L Cebula to support head and neck cancer research at: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute PO Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284 or via dana-farber.org/gift
His Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, September 14th at 11 am at St. Anthony’s Church, 26 Hammond St, Mattapoisett, all are invited to meet directly at church. His visitation will be held Friday, September 13th from 4-7 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com
