Raymond R. Cummings

RAYMOND R. CUMMINGS, A Sentimental Journey from October 9, 1931 to April 12, 2016. Ray was born in Moneymore, Londonderry, Northern Ireland to Eva and Robert Cummings, deceased; and died among his loved ones on April 12, 2016. He grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey, playing music in the High School Marching Band, then enlisted into the National Guard 1949, and Active Duty Army October 1950 to May 1952, where he was assigned into the 63rd Band, the 1st Army Division Band and the 5th Army Division Band. He attended Temple University, receiving his BS in 1956, MA in 1966 and Ph.D in 1970 in Music Education. He retired from music education in 1986, when he moved to Hilton Head Island. Ray continued his career as a professional musician on saxophone, keyboards and vocals in and around the Island. He moved to Sun City in 2000, and co-founded the Stardust Orchestra in 2004, which has raised more than $200,000 for local charities. Raymond Cummings in survived by Mark and Suzanne Cummings (son and daughter in-law), Robbin and Kenneth Pyles (daughter and son in-law), his granddaughters: Shannon Moats, Erin Carr, Sara Cummings, Laura Cummings and Olivia Cummings; his great grandchildren: Cian, Kane, Kieran, Alice and Ellianna Joy; and companion, Rosemary Matsko. Raymond Cummings led a musically blessed life and has requested a Celebration of Life to be held May 21, 2016, 11:00 am, at the Bluffton United Methodist Church. “And the beat goes on…..”