Raymond W. Caine, Jr, 84, of Harrison Avenue, Newport, passed away surrounded by his family after a period of declining health.
Mr. Caine was born in Fall River on June 30, 1932, the first son of Raymond W. Caine, Sr. and Emma Gardella Caine and moved to Newport shortly after. Raymond attended Catholic Schools in Newport, De La Salle Academy, Providence College, graduating in 1956 with a B.S.in Business Management, and Harvard University Advanced Management Program.
He married Sharon Geraldine Henry, also of Newport, on November 10, 1956. Ray and Sharon then traveled to Fort Bliss, Texas where Ray instructed officers of Allied nations in the operation of computers, radar, and the overall Nike Ajax and Hercules guided missile system. He was honorably discharged in 1958 with the rank of Captain. In 1958, the couple moved back to Rhode Island and Raymond accepted his first position at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island. He served in a variety of training and development positions before being named Manager of Public Relations in 1964, and Director in 1966.He then accepted a position with Creamer, Inc., a New York and Providence advertising and public relations firm as the Public Relations Director in 1966, Vice President in 1968, and Senior Vice President in 1972. He left Creamer in 1974 to return to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island as Vice President. In 1980, he became Vice President-Corporate Communications, at Textron, Inc., a multi-industry company, and was responsible for planning, implementation and oversight of Textron’s corporate communications. He retired from Textron in 1994. He continued to consult for 3 more years until 1997.
In addition to his successful business career, Mr. Caine held a variety of civic and nonprofit positions including: Trustee of St. Mary’s Church, Newport, RI, Member of the Newport Reading Room, member of Wanumetonomy Golf and Country Club, member of Hazard’s Beach Club, member of Circle of Scholars, Salve Regina University and former member of the Board of Trustees of the University, serving as Vice Chairman, Governor of Newport Hospital, member of the Preservation Society of Newport County and Newport Historical Society (1st Vice Chairman), Commodore of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. He also held various civic positions in Rhode Island. He sat on the board of the United Way of Southeastern New England, was a member of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, and was an elected member of the Barrington Democratic Town Committee.
Ray was proud to be a lifelong Newporter, he was the life of every party, and happiest celebrating any occasion with family and friends, new and old.
Mr. Caine is survived by his beloved wife, Sharon, his spouse of almost 60 years and their four children, Karen Caine Babbitt (Jib) of South Dartmouth, MA, Kimberly Caine Salesses (Greg) of Tallahassee, FL, Peter Caine (Mary) of St. Louis, Missouri, Patrick Caine (Melanie King) of Uxbridge, MA, and Ray’s daughter in law, Joan Crowley Caine. Mr. Caine is survived by 11 grandchildren, of whom he was very proud. Kate Salesses Gibbon (Joe), Gregory Salesses (Olivia), Sarah Salesses, Emily Babbitt, Ike Babbitt (Sarah) Andrew Caine, Rachel Caine, Audra Caine, William Caine, Benjamin Caine and Matthew Caine. He was the great grandfather of Harrison Bennett Gibbons. He is survived by his three siblings, Grace Caine Eudenbach (Peter), William Caine (Patricia), and Margaret Caine Harrington (Guy), all of Newport, in addition to his sisters-in- law Barbara Henry Ripa, Roberta Henry Dugan, his brother in law Robert Henry (Carol) and many, many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held Wednesday, October 12, 2016 from 4 – 7pm at the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring Street, Newport. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday, October 13, 2016 at St. Mary’s Church, Spring Street, Newport, RI at 10 am. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery, Brown’s Lane, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either St. Mary’s Church Organ Restoration Project, PO Box 547, Newport, RI or to Salve Regina University, Attn: Caine Scholarship Fund, 100 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport, RI 02840.
