Raymond E. Keiser

Seekonk – Raymond E. Keiser, 82, passed away peacefully with his wife and daughter by his side on Saturday, September 5, 2026. He was the beloved husband of Carol L. (Spencer) Keiser for fifty-three loving years. Born in Providence, he was a son of the late Kenneth R. and Hazel I. (Dawson) Keiser.

Ray graduated from William E. Tolman High School in Pawtucket, Class of 1962 and was a United States Air Force veteran of the Vietnam Era stationed at RAF Chicksands, England. He subsequently attended Rhode Island College where he received his bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education in 1971 and his master’s degree in 1977.

Ray taught his whole career as an educator in the Woonsocket School Department, retiring in 1997. During his time as a teacher, Ray served the Woonsocket Teachers’ Guild in many executive board leadership positions. He was appointed to several RI state level committees and advisory boards by the RI Federation of Teachers. He enjoyed being a delegate to numerous AFT national conventions.

Ray retired from teaching to his love of tennis. He was frequently heard telling people, “I play tennis, I teach tennis, I coach tennis, and I string tennis racquets.” All these things, and his intense love for the sport, were true. Ray earned certification as a professional tennis instructor from the Professional Tennis Registry and was a member of the US Racquet Stringers Association. Ray served as the girls tennis coach for Tolman High School and Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School for many years.

When not playing tennis, Ray was an avid reader, enjoyed gardening, and always completed the daily newspaper puzzles. He spent his summers with friends at the Seekonk Swim and Tennis Club and enjoyed vacationing in York Beach, ME.

Above all, Ray was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He loved nothing more than spending quality time with his family, especially his two cherished grandsons, Carter and Miles. He was always courtside at Christina’s tennis matches and instructed his grandsons in tennis from a young age, buying them their first racquets at age one. Ray will be lovingly remembered by all whose lives he has touched over the past eighty-two years.

Besides his beloved wife, Ray leaves his only daughter, Christina L. Keiser and her husband, Angelo Gentile of Rehoboth; his two grandsons, Carter and Miles Gentile; his brother, K. Robert Keiser, PhD. and his wife, LaDonna, of San Diego, California; his great friend and tennis partner for life, Gary Hermiz and his wife, Gail, of Rumford. He also leaves his in-laws, nieces, and nephews from the Spencer family. Ray, and his mother Hazel, had a close bond with many members of the Joseph McKitchen family. He was the brother of the late David A. Keiser.

Relatives and friends are welcome to attend a Requiem Eucharist on Monday, September 14th at 11 a.m. DIRECTLY at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 490 Broadway, Pawtucket, interment will follow at Seekonk Cemetery. CALLING HOURS will be held on Sunday, September 13th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at WILLIAM W. TRIPP Funeral Home, 1008 Newport Ave., Pawtucket. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to the Church of the Good Shepherd, 490 Broadway, Pawtucket, RI 02860 or the Indoor Tennis Court, 8 Blanding Ave, East Providence, RI 02914 for their historic restoration efforts would be appreciated. www.TrippFuneralHome.com