Raymond A. del Mas

After more than five years, Raymond A. del Mas passed peacefully into God’s arms, leaving the dementia behind. His passing was on Oct. 15, 2012, shortly after Audrey, his loving wife, Pastor Dean Pense and faithful friend, Barbara Wood, joined hands in prayer and thanksgiving for his life.

He was born on July 14, 1931, in Hugo, Minn., to Gabriel and Gladys del Mas. At age 10, the family came to California and settled in Vallejo, where his father worked for Mare Island. In 1947, the family moved to a ranch on Mount George Avenue in Napa.

In 1948, he met the love of his life at church; the couple continued as sweethearts after graduating from Napa High School in 1949 and Napa Valley College two years later. Ray went to work as a machinist at Mare Island while Audrey worked in various offices in Napa. They married May 16, 1954, and lived in Napa their entire married life.

Ray retired from Mare Island in 1986 at age 55, with nearly 33 years of service. His main hobby was music and he was known for playing beautiful songs on his tenor saxophone. He played in the National Guard Band, the Napa College wind ensemble, two private bands and solos at church. He belonged to SIRS branch 105, golfed and bowled; actively participated in NARFE events; was a master counselor of DeMolay; became a member of Yount Lodge #12 F & AM; and was a master mason for 50 years.

He is survived by his loving wife, Audrey; daughter, Pat Moore (Jack), and their two grown daughters; son, Robert; brother-in-law, Russell Philbrick (Venita); and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his sister, Marcelle, who was seven years his senior.

Friends are invited to attend a memorial service Friday, Nov. 2 at 11 a.m. at Yountville Community Church, 6621 Yount St., Yountville. Donations to the church in Ray’s memory, sent to P.O. Box 3716, Yountville, CA 94599, have been suggested by the family. Treadway & Wigger is serving the family of Mr. del Mas.