Former owner of Ray’s Service Center, restorer of classic cars, lover of Fords
Murray W. “Ray” Potter of Templeton, formerly of Acton and Lexington and former owner of Ray’s Service Center in Harvard, passed away in the arms of his loving wife at his daughter’s home in Acton May 22, 2018, one week after his 81st birthday. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Gail (Galvin) Potter; his son Rick and wife Jean, of Acton; his daughters, Cindy Kimball of Harvard and Shelley Potter of Acton; his son Ed Potter of Acton; his brother, Larry, and wife, Rosalie, of Reading; and his sister Susan Potter and husband, Tom Damkowitch, of Lexington. He was the brother of the late Nancy Joy of Portland, Maine. “Pop” will be missed by his grandchildren, Megan (Kimball) Brown and her husband, Erl; Joe Kimball; and Kate, Chris, and Mark Potter.
Ray was an avid “car guy.” From his early years rebuilding cars to drive and eventually race to his later years when he restored classics, Ray was happiest working on a Ford. He was a member of the Nomads, appeared in photographs in early Hot Rod magazines, and owned a NASCAR modified car raced at Norwood Arena. This passion was also his vocation, working for Ford dealerships for his first 17 years, managing Ray’s Service Center (Arco) in Lexington for 15 years, and owning Ray’s Service Center in Harvard for 13 years. Ray’s Service Center was a family endeavor, employing his son Ed as a mechanic and Gail as the bookkeeper.
Upon retirement he and Gail enjoyed winters in Lady Lake, Florida, with their friends new and old. They enjoyed the remainder of the year in their log cabin with the big garage in Templeton. Ray’s most recent project and greatest pride was working with his grandson Joe restoring his 1950 Ford pickup.
A man of integrity and honesty, Ray will be missed by all who benefited from his advice, were treated fairly in business, and mentored as employees.
His memorial gathering and service will be held Saturday, June 2, from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Mass. Ave. (Route 111) Acton. An interment at Westview Cemetery in Lexington at a later date will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Ray Potter to the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, 125 Nashua St., Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114. A memorial page can be found at www.actonfuneralhome.com.
