Raymond A. Cramer

Raymond A. Cramer, born in Dalton, PA in 1936, passed away peacefully in his home in Honesdale, PA on January 22 with his wife of 60 years Lenore Smith Cramer and family at his side. Ray and Lenore moved to Honesdale 4 years ago, and had previously lived in Dalton, Pennsylvania where he was a beloved piano teacher for over 64 years.

Raymond began seriously studying piano at the age of 10 under the instruction of Anne Vanko Liva, and was teaching his own students by the time he was 16. In 1958, he graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Music in performance.  He returned to Dalton after six months of basic training in the National Guard where he continued to serve for six years. He traveled to New York City weekly for years to enhance his studies under the tutelage of Martin Canin of the Juilliard School for Music. It wasn't until Ray married Lenore in 1961 that he started considering a career in teaching rather than performing, having found real satisfaction in that endeavor.

Throughout his teaching career, Ray was active in the local as well as the National Music Teachers Associations, serving as President of the Pennsylvania Association as well as the President of the Northeastern Division.  He declined the nomination to serve as President for the National organization to stay more focused on his teaching. He was honored with the PA Music Teachers Association Teacher of the Year awards in 1978 and again in1999 and received a distinguished service Award in 1985. Ray was an adjudicator for the National Guild of Piano Teachers and received their special commendation for his 50th year as a judge. He was also an adjunct professor for several years both at Keystone College and Bucknell University.

Ray was a lifelong supporter of classical music, opera, literature, art and theater. He was an incredibly kind human being, with a sympathetic ear for a very wide range of problems, "Porch chats" and an "after- lesson session" were frequent. He was especially touched and honored by the occasional use of "Lessons with Ray" for college entrance application essays.   He loved travel, good movies, parties with friends, learning new things, his family, grandsons, and a good joke. He is probably best remembered by most with a great smile across his face, a loud laugh or a warm generous hug.

Ray is survived by his wife Lenore and three children: Nicholas Cramer, of Scranton; Jocelyn Cramer, married to Michael Rollison of Honesdale PA and Odalie Curtis and husband Gene of Glen Ridge NJ. He is also survived by his three beloved grandsons, Cayton, Jackson and Joshua Curtis.

Family and friends are invited to attend A Celebration of Life gathering on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 10 a.m. at the Waverly Community House, 1115 North Abington Road, Waverly, PA  18471.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 418 S. State Street, Clarks Summit.