Clarence Gilbert "Ray-J" Raymond, age 80, of Oscoda died on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, at his home. He was born on Feb. 11, 1929, in Detroit. Ray-J was a 27-year veteran of the Detroit Fire Department, a conservation officer and a corrections officer with the Iosco County Sheriff's Department. Surviving are his four daughters, Mary Elizabeth (Rick) Morse of Oscoda, Clarice (Brian) Higgins of Troy, Anne Marie (Tom) McCabe of Grosse Pointe Shores and Julia (Marv) Standridge of LaSalle; six sons, Patrick (Rosemary) of Houghton Lake, Richard of Grosse Pointe Woods, Lawrence of Oscoda, Robert (Coleen) of Troy, Andrew of Oscoda and Matthew of Eastpointe; 28 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and his friend, Gladys Schuhmacher. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 43 years, Patricia (nee Donovan); two sons, James in 1969 and Gerald in 2006; and his daughter-in-law, Mary Catherine, in 2009. He offers his final salute to his "brothers" of the Detroit Fire Department, especially Squad 3. Ray-J was a faithful spouse, an exemplary father, a true friend. He was our hero. A Funeral mass will be held today (Wednesday) at 11 a.m. (instate at 10 a.m.) at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oscoda. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Ceme­tery in Detroit. The family received friends on Tuesday from 2 to 8 p.m. (rosary at 7 p.m., followed by a time of sharing) at the Buresh Chapel in Oscoda. The family requests memorials to Tawas St. Joseph Home Health and Hospice (800-866-4611) or to the Detroit Fire Fighter's Fund (www.detroitfirefightersfund.net). An on-line guest registry is available at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com.