Raymond Wilcox, Jr.

Raymond Wilcox, Jr. passed away peacefully on August 31, 2023 at his home on Twin Oaks Farm in Alford, Massachusetts. Ray was born on January 19, 1948, and raised on the Wilcox family dairy farm on West Road in Alford.

The farm was started by his grandfather in 1921, later continued by Ray’s father Raymond “Babe” Wilcox, Sr., and eventually turned over to Ray. It celebrated a legacy of producing some of the best milk and hay in Berkshire County. Ray’s mother Beatrice had a strong hand in running the farm that included feeding the family, the farm help, and anyone who walked through the door with her legendary farm-cooked meals and delicious pies. Ray began first grade in Alford’s one-room schoolhouse, and graduated in 1965 from Mount Everett Regional High School, where he was voted Class Clown for his famous quick wit and humorous antics. He earned an Associate Degree from the University of Massachusetts’s Stockbridge School of Agriculture. He continued to help his father run Twin Oaks. No one could deny that Ray lived life to the fullest. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, card player, reader, and above all, a farmer, someone who cared for and worked to preserve the beauty and natural resources of the Alford Valley. Along with the two other primary farms in the valley, he put his land into conservation, and helped preserve the valley from development for posterity. Wiry, rugged and handsome, Ray charmed and entertained his many friends with his mischievous antics, near catastrophes and colorful stories about himself and others. Above all, Ray was steadfastly honest, intelligent, hardworking, and irreverent. Continuing a Wilcox tradition, he served the town of Alford, first as a member of the Board of Assessors, then for 29 years as a Selectman alongside his good friend Charles “Chuck” Ketchen, as well as over 20 years on the Planning Board, 10 of which as Chairman. Ray was instrumental in bringing folks together, and his house was the hub during hunting season for his fellow sportsmen. In the summer, Ray could be found in the hayfields and at Saratoga racetrack; in the fall, hunting around Alford and in Colorado; in the winter, playing cards with the Alford Pitch League, reading 3-4 books a week, and railing about the state of American politics. As Ray would say, “I’m so far left I’m falling off the table.” Ray avoided flying and loved his “windshield time” driving the country to hunt and visit relatives. All his life, Ray loved, appreciated, and admired women. Most especially, Ray was a loving and devoted partner to his childhood crush Marilyn Dempsey, with whom he spent the last 23 years. In addition to Marilyn and her extensive family, Ray is mourned by his
sister Barbara and her husband Steve Springer of Randolph Center, VT, his two beloved nephews Philip Springer (Boyd McSparran) and John Springer (Alice Liu), all of San Francisco, CA, and many wonderful cousins. Ray also leaves his friend and neighbor Otis Lougheed, who was instrumental in Ray’s care over the eight years Ray dealt with cancer. He leaves his friend and primary support on the farm, Rich Ciotola. He leaves his West Road and Alford neighbors, many of whom were lifelong friends, and a constant and important presence in his life, as well as his first wife, Lucy Prashker, who remained a close friend, ally, and his attorney. Ray leaves many more good friends, too numerous to list here, with whom he shared a lifetime of memories of hunting, fishing, farming, and the enjoyment of a life so well lived.

MEMORIAL SERVICE - There will be a memorial service on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 3:00pm, at Twin Oaks Farm, 181 West Road, Alford. Following the service there will be a reception celebrating his life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to HospiceCare in the Berkshires, or The Future Farmers of America (FFA) at Mt. Everett Regional School District c/o Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.  To send remembrances to his family please go to www.finnertyandstevens.com