Portsmouth benefit for late Ray Oliver’s family is April 30

Posted 4/22/16

PORTSMOUTH — Ray Oliver worked at Steve’s Pizza for only a few months, but he made an indelible impression on the owner and her staff.

“He didn’t miss anything that was …

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Portsmouth benefit for late Ray Oliver’s family is April 30

Ray Oliver during a holiday party at a Warren bowling alley with the rest of the gang from Steve’s Pizza. “He just lived life to the fullest,” said Tracey Furtado, owner of Steve’s Pizza. “He was real positive and had a big impact on people.”
Ray Oliver during a holiday party at a Warren bowling alley with the rest of the gang from Steve’s Pizza. “He just lived life to the fullest,” said Tracey Furtado, owner of Steve’s Pizza. “He was real positive and had a big impact on people.”
Posted

PORTSMOUTH — Ray Oliver worked at Steve’s Pizza for only a few months, but he made an indelible impression on the owner and her staff.

“He didn’t miss anything that was going on,” said owner Tracey Furtado, adding that nothing was more important to Ray than family and friends. “He didn’t waste any time at all. He just lived life to the fullest. He was real positive and had a big impact on people. He was just one of those kids who, if there was negativity around him, always put a positive spin on it.”

Now Ms. Furtado and others are organizing a benefit to help the family of the 20-year-old Portsmouth High School grad, who died March 1 in a car accident on Turnpike Avenue.

“We’re trying to raise some money to help out Laura (Ray’s mom) with some of the funeral expenses,” Ms. Furtado said.

The Raymond Oliver Memorial Fundraiser will run from 3-7 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at VFW Post 5390, 822 Anthony Road in Common Fence Point. 

“We’ll have food and we’re selling tickets for $10 for anybody who wants to go,” said Ms. Furtado, adding that the tickets are available at Steve’s Pizza and at the door.

The event will also feature raffle and silent auction items that are being contributed by local businesses. “Everybody around town has given great support,” she said.

The idea for a benefit came about when Ms. Furtado was approached by one of her customers, Nancy Peterson, whose husband belongs to the VFW. Ray delivered pizza to Ms. Peterson’s home and she knew him through his reputation as someone who routinely came to a person's aid if they needed it.

“She has a grandson who was bullied in high school and Ray stepped up for the kid. When she heard (about the accident), she called me and said she wanted to help out,” said Ms. Furtado. Shauna Fournier, who assists Ms. Peterson at the VFW, is another key organizer, she said.

‘Friendly face’

Ms. Furtado said Ray worked at her pizza shop for only a few months, but she knew him previously through his mom. No one, she said, can shake his memory. 

“He was special. It’s been really hard,” she said.

Ray was involved in sports, had lots of friends and also worked at Patriot Upholstery and Graziano's 501 Cafe, she said.

“He was known around the area because he was a friendly face,” she said. “He was just a good, hardworking kid. He was working and going to BCC.

“He’s just so missed. Everybody’s kind of lost because he was one of those people that you’re drawn to. We need more people like that.”

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