Obituary of Raymond Burch

RAYMOND BURCH Services will be held on Saturday for Raymond Burch, who passed away at his Santa Cruz home on April 23, 2011. Ray would have celebrated his 88th birthday on May 30th. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he attended local schools and during WW II, served in the US Navy. Ray married his prewar sweetheart, Natalie, in 1947 and they drove to Southern California for their honeymoon, where they decided to make their home. In 1965 they moved to the Santa Clara Valley, and finally to Santa Cruz County in 1975. Ray worked at Litton Industries and Lockheed, retiring in 1983, after a career as an electronics engineer that spanned over 25 years. Ray was an active member in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, which became his second career. He held various Santa Cruz Flotilla offices, including that of Flotilla Commander. Ray was a Coxswain, the commander of his own boat on safety and rescue missions. He became an instructor for member training and public education courses. He taught advanced coastal navigation at the Santa Cruz Harbor for over 25 years. He also maintained the computer database for the auxiliary's information services. His energy and enthusiasm was unlike most men of his age, and his dedication to the Coast Guard Auxiliary and all who served in it, was truly a passion that contributed to a long and fulfilled life. Ray was a modest man and a gentleman. He will be dearly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Marian and Donald Brusato of Campbell, his grandchildren, Michael and Lisa Brusato, and his brother Lawrence Burch of Wisconsin. Family and friends are invited to a memorial celebration to be held at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel on Saturday, May 14, 2011 beginning at 11 a.m. A private committal at sea will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ray's memory may be made to "USCGAUX Flotilla 6-7", 503 Carbonera Dr, Santa Cruz CA 95060.