Raymond Bosley Sr., Painesdale

Raymond Bosley, Sr., a resident of Painesdale, passed away Wednesday,
February 25, 2026.

Ray was born on February 3, 1936 in Sault Sainte Marie Michigan, to
Carl and Elizabeth (Oberlin) Bosley. He had five brothers and one
sister. He was a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa
Indians. While growing up in the Sault, Ray enjoyed music and
participated in weekend gatherings of friends and family where music
was played and dancing ensued. He also liked to remind his children
that he once attended a concert in the Sault in his youth where he saw
Jerry Lee Lewis open for Johnny Cash. Ray played high school football
for the Sault High Blue Devils and was voted All-U.P. playing
offensive guard. He recalled taking a ferry boat across the Mackinac
Straits when his team played in Petoskey, which was prior to the
construction of the Mackinac Bridge.

 Following high school, Ray enrolled in the U.S. Army and honorably
served two years while stationed in Alaska. He continued to play
football in the Army, traveling to other army bases to compete with
other teams. After being discharged from the Army, he attended
Northern Michigan University in Marquette. While there, he met Ruth
Quaal, a student from Ishpeming. They later were married on August 19,
1961 in Ishpeming and resided in Hancock early in their marriage. Ray
and Ruth moved to South Range and then to Painesdale where they
continued to raise their family of four children. Ray began a 38-year
teaching career at Jeffers High School in 1961. He taught primarily
Industrial Arts, Drafting, and Driver’s Education. He is remembered by
his students for his humor and his expectation that they apply
themselves to the skills and to the creative opportunities he
presented during his classes.

Early in his career, he had the clock removed from over his classroom
door, substituting it with one of his many inspirational plaques. That
particular plaque read, “Time will pass. Will you?” Another of his
many mantras for students was, “There are two ways to get to the top
of an oak tree: Sit on an acorn. Or climb it.”

Ray was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Painesdale and
Holy Family Church in South Range. He sang in the church choir with
many good friends. Ray and his wife Ruth were both dedicated to their
Catholic faith.

 Throughout his life, Ray’s talents for furniture building, home
remodeling, and building intricate model ships and small wood projects
and games were always evident. He enjoyed building and using
radio-controlled boats, and later on built and flew radio-controlled
airplanes. Ray was also a life-long Green Bay Packer fan, eventually
attending a memorable game at Lambeau with his sons. He also enjoyed
attending the Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-In in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin annually, for many years. In his later years, his
grandchildren and great-grandchildren held a special place in his
heart and in his life—always appreciating his time with them.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife Ruth; his parents; his
son-in-law Michael Clouthier; and his brothers and sisters: Teddy,
Donna, Carl, Larry, and Rick.

 He is survived by his children: Ray (Kriss) Bosley, Michael (Anita)
Bosley, Marie (Cliff) Dessellier, and Patrick (Jennifer) Beausoleil.
Grandchildren: Elizabeth (Will) Williams, Andrew (Jennie) Clouthier,
Sarah (Seth) Keller, Jacob (Elle) Dessellier, Gabby (Jake) Brenke,
Bruce (Jennifer) Dessellier, Eric Dessellier, Shannon (Bob) Matson,
and Lindsay (Justin Dueweke) Clouthier. Great-grandchildren: Adalene,
Michael, and Ben Williams; Gunner, Teddy, Alex, and Bodie Clouthier;
Tristan and Owen Keller; Gordy and Wren Vaskey; Gavin, Chase, and
Brooks Dessellier; Mialy (Carley) Frauenhoff; Abby Brooks; and Donovan
Dueweke. He is also survived by a brother Walter (Nancy) Bosley,
sisters-in-law Sandy Bosley and Cheryl Bosley, and numerous nieces and
nephews and other family members through marriage.

For the past few years, Ray received supportive care from the At Home
Companions home-care staff and from Copper Shores Meals on Wheels. He
also appreciated the assistance provided by many friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Ray will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday,
March 2, 2026, at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church of Houghton.
Spring burial will be in the Mt. View Cemetery of South Range.

Friends may call on Sunday, March 1, 2026, from 5 to 7:00 pm at St.
Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church of Houghton.

To view this obituary or to send condolences online to the family,
please visit www.memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Mt View Chapel of
South Range is assisting the family with the arrangements.