Spencerport: October 25, 2014 at age 61 years after a battle with cancer. Survived by his son Peter Helfrich and grand-daughter Shelly Castello both of NV, siblings; Tracy (Suzanne) Helfrich of Honeoye, Terri (Rick Donk) Helfrich of FL, and Robbie (Haeja) Helfrich of CO. Nieces & nephews; Tony, Nathan, Heather, David, Sylvia, and great-niece Arianna. Aunt Florence Miller, numerous cousins, and many friends. Ray was a long time employee and retiree of Wegmans.
Ray was born on October 27, 1952 in Rochester, NY to parents Leland “Red” & Alice (Stafford) Herlfrich. He graduated from Thousand Islands High School in Cape Vincent, NY. He had three nick names; Ray, Pete, and Whip. Ray worked for Wegmans for 34 years in the warehouse and retired in 2010. Ray was a long time resident of Spencerport, he was a very giving person, loved to travel, and enjoy life…..Ray made friends everywhere he went. He died on October 25, 2014, surrounded by his family, at his brothers home on Honeoye Lake.
Friends are invited to Ray’s Memorial Service on Friday, October 31st, at 4pm at the Brockport Free Methodist Church, 6787 4th Section Road, Brockport, NY 14420. Rev. Andy Sass will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made in Ray’s memory to the Wilmot Cancer Institute, PO Box 704, Rochester, NY 14642. Arrangements entrusted to Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., Livonia-Honoeye. To send a condolence and for further information please visit:
www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
“Pete” was as-good and as-loyal a friend as one could hope to have. He would help you do whatever you needed to get accomplished, and “Pete” never shied-away from hard work. He spent his early 20’s in Miami-Dade County, FL at “South Spencerport,” in the Miami metropolitan area, where he did something he would later do for Wegman’s: he worked a forklift loading from cold storage into trailers serving the south Florida area for Food Fair/Pantry Pride, one of the largest of the south Florida grocery chains. He often worked double-shifts to increase his bank account, working the night shift, and he would come-home to the apartment he shared with Eric “Panther” Olson in East Kendall, FL just-as the day shift members of ‘South Spencerport’ would be getting-up to go to work. He would turn-on the stereo, and select ‘House Party’ by J Geils Band, and if you weren’t awake when he walked in the door, you soon would be! One of the sleepy roommates would stumble over to the stereo, turn it down, and greet ‘Pete,’ who was ready to spend what amounted to his 5 p.m. time having fun, until he had to ‘crash’ in a bedroom for the next night shift. ‘Pete’ hauled to FL from Spencerport his Kawasaki 350 cc Avenger street scrambler motorcycle in the trunk of his 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 so he could enjoy the year-round biking. He was also known as one of the loyal fans of Neil Diamond, and while his early 1970’s Florida friends didn’t share the level of enthusiasm he did, they recognized that he was a ‘true fan,’ just-like he was a ‘true-friend.’ My brother Neil Bachers of San Francisco CA and I had many memorable experiences living in South Spencerport then, and “Pete” was a part of it, along with “Duke” and Elaine Olson, “Ole” Olson, Doug “Bush” Davie, Randy and Gary Macmillan, Dennis Riley, and the continually-revolving cast of people who were raised in Spencerport NY and who came to visit in South Florida. After things wound-down and people eventually went their individual ways, “Pete” would stay in-touch with his former roommates and extended circle of friends. He would show-up from time to time, and there were always good times to share and memories to recall about the halcyon days of our shared young adulthood. “Pete” was always a steadfast friend, and that lasted for life. I’m gonna miss him, and his booming voice, which was characteristic of his love of life. “How ya doin’ bud?” was something he’d always ask, upon seeing you. He expected a reply and then he would tell you about what he’d been up-to. He loved to talk, and you’d better be ready to listen, because he could keep it going. Whether it was drinking beer and playing euchre, or helping to organize and pay-for a barbeque, “Pete” was ready to celebrate life. I am going to miss his friendship.
I love you Ray and sure do miss you already. I’m sure you were met by the family that went before you and that you haven’t quit talking yet. Fly high cuz and I’ll see you again sometime in the future. BIG hugs and kisses.