Raymond F. Chaney

Raymond F. Chaney of Blue Ridge, GA, passed away from a massive heart attack early Monday, March 23, 2009 in Aparecida de Goiania, GO, Brazil at the age of 73, with his wife Eva by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents Franklin Curtis and Lois Chaney.

Raymond moved with his family to Brunswick, GA where he attended school, delivering papers in his spare time and earning enough money to trade his bicycle for a Harley Davidson. He graduated from Glynn Academy in 1953, and a year later married Sylvia Register, also of Brunswick, but the marriage ended in 1991. They had two children, Ray and Terri. Raymond decided to continue his education so the family moved to Atlanta where he attended Southern Technical Institute. He was a member of The National Honor Society and graduated in 1960 with a degree in Industrial Management. Raymond began his career with Square D Company in 1960 as a warehouse foreman and a few years later grew into a sales position. He loved sales and excelled in this job as top salesman for many years. Raymond was later promoted to Executive Field Engineer and remained in this job until he retired in 1990 with 30 years of service. He enjoyed fishing, boating, traveling, dancing, and social events. He was an avid bridge player and a member of the American Contract Bridge League, obtaining approximately 385 master points towards his goal of becoming a Life Master. For a number of years, Raymond was affiliated with Grace United Methodist Church in Atlanta.

Raymond is survived by his wife Eva of Blue Ridge, GA, whom he married in November, 2006. Other survivors include one son, Raymond C. (Elissa) Chaney of Lawrenceville, GA; one daughter, Terri C. (Neil) Gilwit of Coral Springs, FL; sisters, Ann Anderson of Las Vegas, NV, Clara (Ed) Gaetz of Warner Robins, GA, and Lois (Jim) Crowell of Atherton, CA; grandchildren, Amber (Timothy Murray) Chaney, Brandon Chaney, Brittany and Tyler Gilwit; great-grandson, Aidan Murray, and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his stepdaughters, Elida Dutra of Kennesaw, GA, Eliane Silva of Marietta, GA, and Eli (Luciano) Frietas of Kennesaw, GA, stepson Helio Dutra of Brazil; seven step-grandchildren in Kennesaw, Marietta and Brazil; and several step-nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 11:00 am in the chapel of McDonald & Son Funeral Home, followed by a reception. Interment will follow at Mars Hill Cemetery. The family will receive visitors prior to the service from 10:00-11:00 am at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association at 1-800-242-8721 or online at https://donate.americanheart.org .

Condolences may be expressed on-line at www.mcdonaldandson.com.

Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home & Crematory, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886-9899