Raymond Charles (Hotaling) Christy, 60, died suddenly of heart failure on June 25 at his camp in Rangeley.
Born Sept. 21, 1951 in Oil City, Penn., he was the fourth child of Raymond and Gloria June Hotaling. He was later adopted by Frank and Isabelle Christy of Titusville, Penn., where he was raised.
He served for six years in the U.S. Army, doing tours in the Philippines, in the Korean DMZ and in Hawaii.
After moving to Maine in 1984, he later settled in Boothbay Harbor and married his wife Fabry in 1993. His life changed when he met the Lord in 1996 and became a born-again believer. He started serving in soup kitchens and studying the Bible. He graduated cum laude from New England Bible College in Portland.
Ray was an active member of Boothbay Baptist Church, where he served for several years as an elder and Bible study leader.
With his wife Fay he launched Through the Fire Ministries in 2005. Together they visited prisons and churches throughout New England, holding services with Ray preaching and Fay singing. He was a gifted evangelist who spoke plainly and fervently about the Lord. He went on several short-term mission trips to Uganda, Haiti, Spain, and elsewhere, to build homes, care for orphans and AIDS sufferers, help disaster victims, and preach the gospel.
He was ordained a Baptist pastor on Aug. 16, 2010 and was moving toward working full-time in ministry. He had been a self-employed house jack for 35 years.
Ray was known by many in the community as a man with a heart for those who were hurting and going through trials. He often visited elderly shut-ins and folks in hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons to encourage them. He would drop whatever he was doing to help his friends, volunteered his labor for projects for the church and for neighbors, and he mentored several younger men in the faith. He was passionate for God and at the same time had a lighthearted sense of humor.
Ray leaves his wife and ministry partner Fay Christy; son, Chad Christy of Rangeley; daughter, Tesa Christy Mayer and husband Chuck of Yorktown, Va.; stepsons, Daniel Coffey of Cambridge, Mass. and Tyler Coffey of Washington, D.C.; grandsons, Nolan and Jayden Mayer; sisters, Wanda Williams, Mary Gordon, June Hull, Alice Rigby, Ellen Pinkerton, Gloria Hargenrader, Kathy Dotterweich, and Christine Riggs; brothers, Dick Mallory and Dave Christy; close nephew, Roger Gordon and wife Cheryl of Boothbay Harbor; and many other nieces and nephews.
Memorial service and celebration of Ray’s life 2:30 p.m., Fri., June 29 at Boothbay Baptist Church, Boothbay with Pastor Dr. Steve Nash officiating. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ray’s memory may be made to Through the Fire Ministries, P.O. Box 877, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.
You are invited to share your condolences, photos, and tributes with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are by Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, Boothbay.
