FALMOUTH – Raymond Crowley, 76, of Yarmouth, passed away on Feb. 9, at Sedgewood Commons in Falmouth.

He was born in Lewiston, on May 18, 1931, the son of Cornelius and Mary Durand Crowley. Graduating from Lewiston High School in 1951, Ray served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1951 to 1954.

He received a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Maine at Orono in 1958 and a master’s degree from the University of Southern Maine in 1973. He began his career in guidance counseling at Lisbon High School from 1958 to 1966. He was part of the first group of certified school guidance counselors in Maine. The director of guidance for the Yarmouth school department for 25 years, he retired in 1991. He served as longtime member and co-chair of the New England Guidance Conference.

He was president of the Maine Personnel and Guidance Association, member of the senate and a delegate to the National Convention. He served on many committees over the years, including Dollars for Scholars and Parents of Students with Learning Disabilities. For several summers he worked in the recreation department at Pineland Hospital.

He enjoyed golf with his foursome of close buddies and was an avid skier. He was a volunteer for the handicapped ski program at Sunday River for several years after his retirement. For 30 years he looked forward to his annual fishing trip with three of his guidance counselor friends.

He was active at Sacred Heart Church in Yarmouth as a Eucharistic minister and parish council president.

He loved landscaping and kept the greenest lawn in the neighborhood. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren delighted in his 1-2-3 big hugs.

He will be remembered by friends, family and students for his kindness, sense of humor, generosity and gentle spirit.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patricia Tardif Crowley of Yarmouth; a brother, Edward Crowley and wife, Ruth Baker, of Asheville, N.C.; three daughters, Cindy Ballew and husband, Steve, of Montana, Laurie Oliver and husband, Matt, of Falmouth and Anne Hines and husband, Rich, of Cumberland; three sons, Tim Crowley and his companion, Mary Lane, of Windham, Dan Crowley and wife, Renee Le Mieux, of New Gloucester and John Crowley of Augusta; 13 beloved grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.