Happenings: Remembering Ray Moskow

Happenings

Special Edition | October 2024

Remembering

Ray Moskow

1931 - 2024

On Wednesday, October 2, 2024 Ray Moskow’s mortal frame succumbed to injuries suffered from a fall on stone stairs from the beach at his beloved Maine summer place. Alert and engaging to the end, it was time for him to say goodbye after a full life well-lived among family, friends, and a multitude who benefited from his service and robust spirit. Here are some highlights featuring his time with the Wilton Kiwanis Club.

Thank You for Your Service!

Ray served our country in the Army and our community

alongside his wife and partner in life, Gail

The first float in Wilton’s Memorial Day parade on Ray’s tractor and greeting eager customers at the annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast

Wilton Kiwanis Hall of Honor

Greg Chann introduced Ray into the Wilton Kiwanis Hall of Honor with the following statement

Ray Moskow is well-known for his commitment and loyalty to family, friends, the town of Wilton and especially to the Wilton Kiwanis Club. He and his wife Gail have lived in Wilton for more than fifty years and Ray has always felt the need to serve and give back to the town that he loves.

After retirement from a successful career with IBM, he focused on how best to serve Wilton and joining Kiwanis provided a viable avenue to understanding the needs of the town. Whether at the Wilton Kiwanis pancake breakfast, the holiday concert, the outdoor art show or the roast beef dinner, Ray could always be found at the front entrance collecting fees with a welcoming dose of humor.

During the Homefront projects, Ray handled every kind of job imaginable in the early years, but then became a welcome presence responsible for procuring sandwiches and donuts for the hard-working crowd.

Ray was instrumental in starting the club’s December holiday concert in the early 1980’s. In December 1996 as Kiwanis Club president, he delighted in serving as master of ceremonies for the concert, a role he repeated many times.

The club has recognized Ray as the club’s parliamentarian – particularly during the annual installation of officers and during review of the Kiwanis by-laws. Club members have often admired his “step up” speech. When the club presidency needed to be filled in 1996, he was happy to “step up.” This was during an exciting time when the Wilton Kiwanis Club was (by far) the largest in New England with a membership of 150-plus.

More recently Ray’s own personal column, “Ray’s Corner,” appears in the monthly Wilton Kiwanis Club newsletter called Happenings.

Speaking of “Ray’s Corner” in Happenings…

Ray’s monthly column in Happenings shared priceless perspectives from the past that are as true today. Here’s one about why he joined Kiwanis.

…And Join I Did

So my good friends, Bonner Herren and Tom Wetzel (RIP) said to me, “Hey Ray, why don’t you join Kiwanis and have some fun?” Join Kiwanis? I had heard about them, read about them and did see them around doing things in their straw hats. “Why?” I asked. “Why should I join?” and they overflowed with descriptions of all the things that Kiwanians were doing. It sounded like a large list and I, having been retired for some years, had mainly focused on leadership activities with non-profits.

The guys made lots of sense, so I joined the Club. It was some 28 years ago. It was a truly great decision. They told me about the “three-legged stool,” an analogy they used to describe the activities of the Club. Essentially, it entailed, in simple language, doing physical work on behalf of others, staging events that raised funds which were immediately contributed to worthy causes, and finally, an opportunity to meet and befriend people, men and women, I would not have ever known. It was great, summer lunches at the Family Y, selling fruit, repairing poor people’s houses, etc. I got to see the impact. I got to see the results. I got to see all kinds of people enjoying themselves, and I enjoyed being a part of it. It was simply satisfaction.

The essence of Kiwanis is that in aiming to benefit others, it provides members with a satisfaction and enjoyment that is hard to match, and you do meet some very nice people. It is “volunteering” and makes a significant contribution to help build our community. I’m glad I joined! - from Ray’s Corner

A Great Neighbor!

Selling Pumpkins, Giving Grants,

Roosting Marshmallows, Leading Kiwanis, Food Drives…

Wanna Take Home a Cactus?

…An Offer Difficult to Refuse

As you may know or have heard, one of my longtime hobbies has been the nurturing and maintaining of a collection of cactus plants.

I have continued this hobby for more than 40 years, and my local collection of plants has been counted near to the 300 plant range.

Now, we are beginning to “declutter” the accumulation of near 52 years, and among the prized possessions which must go, are scores and scores of varied domestic cactus plants.

I never sell these plants, just give them away, so I am offering and inviting anyone interested to contact me come by, look at the plants and perhaps select one or more for your personal pleasure.

Cacti are unique, you will see. - from Ray’s Corner

Induction of Wilton Kiwanis Officers

Ray has been the Master of Ceremonies for induction of new Wilton Kiwanis Club new officers as long as we can remember. Often accompanied by hugs. His last Presidential induction ceremony was Past -President Mike Whitted. Here’s what Mike stated after learning of Ray’s passing:

Ray and I talked many, many times over this past year during my term as Kiwanis President. He was my sounding board, my voice of reason at times, always ready and eager to help the club. We have all lost a truly great man! My God bless your entire family with healing grace.