BRUNSWICK — Raymond Rosenzweig, 72, of Brunswick, passed away on April 10, 2015, after living his last 15 years with Cerebral Amyloidosis, a neurological disease causing brain hemorrhage and progressive dementia. A man of abundant kindness and humor, he lived his final years with considerable grace and courage in the face of mounting losses due to this condition.

Ray was born on Dec. 26, 1942, in Brooklyn, NY, son of Phyllis (Ettlinger) and Hyman Rosenzweig. He began his education at a neighborhood Yeshiva, and graduated from Lincoln High School in Brooklyn and then Brooklyn College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Following college, he worked as a caseworker with foster children through the NYC Bureau of Child Welfare. He studied at Hunter College School of Social Work in New York City, graduating with a master’s degree in social work in 1970.

In 1969, Ray married Michaelanne (Mike) Magrane, his wife of 46 years. She was by his side when he died. Ray and Mike moved to Brunswick in 1972, where they raised their children and worked in the community for over 40 years.

Ray’s childhood and adolescence were spent in Brighton Beach, a neighborhood in Brooklyn near Coney Island. Playing ball was his passion in those days — stick ball, stoop ball, Johnny on the Pony, ringolevio, basketball at the neighborhood courts — anything with a ball or a team. Most games were played in the street, pausing only for passing cars. Kids collected right after breakfast, ran home for a quick lunch and dinner, and played until games were called on account of darkness. He was quick and graceful, and he lived to play. In his early adulthood, he was a skilled and passionate weekend athlete. He played league softball in Lewiston- Auburn in the 1970s, coached Brunswick youth soccer, and played racquetball and tennis locally.

Ray loved his work. His gift for listening and for helping others led him to a career in counseling. He began his work in Maine at Tri-County Mental Health Center in Lewiston, where he was a clinician and, in addition, became director of Outpatient Services. In the late 70s, he started working as a clinician at Bath Brunswick Mental Health Center, where he was later director of Outpatient Services as well. Leaving there in the mid-80s, he worked for a short time at Family Services at NASB and taught psychology courses at University of NH while he was growing a private counseling practice. He worked in his own private practice doing individual and marital counseling from his residence on Coombs Road for many years. He retired due to health reasons several years ago. Despite the natural reluctance of people to publicly talk about their time in therapy, Ray was often stopped on the street or in local stores by former clients who remembered him with affection and thanked him for the help he gave them.

Ray had a beautiful voice, and loved to sing. For a time in the ’80s he sang with the Nor’easters Barbershop chorus. He was also part of a lively chorus in the last few years with Respite Care in Brunswick. Hardly a Sunday went by when he didn’t take up his pen to tackle the New York Times Crossword puzzle. His dry, New York City style of humor was a central feature of who Ray was. His wife Mike often said that he was her own personal Woody Allen. Another passion was his lovely perennial garden at his home on Coombs Road.

In addition to his wife, Ray leaves behind his much loved son Joshua Rosenzweig and daughter-in-law Niu Jun of Hong Kong, and his cherished daughter Liz Rosenzweig and son-in-law Dominic Rivers of Littleton, CO. He leaves behind also the light of his recent years, his grandson Nathan Rosenzweig and granddaughter Ingrid Rivers. Also surviving are his brother Mark Rosenzweig and sister-in-law Susan Rosenzweig, two nieces, Emily Rosenzweig and Naomi Rosenzweig, and numerous cousins and dear friends. He also leaves behind his dear friends at Respite Care in Brunswick, especially Charles Whitehead, his caring companion during the last few years.

There will be a celebration of Ray’s life at The Brunswick Inn on Park Row on July 11, 2015, from 4 to 6 p.m. All are welcome to come to share memories and enjoy the company of others who had the luck to know this lovely man.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Bath Brunswick Respite Care, 41 Greenwood Road, Brunswick, where Ray spent many happy days, or to Sedgewood Commons, 22 Northbrook Drive, Falmouth, where Ray lived his last nine months in an atmosphere of abundant caring and love. Please indicate on any contributions that they should be targeted for music programs for clients/patients.

Memories and condolences can be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.


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