Former PC Basketball Player Ray Edgar Johnson of Narragansett Dies at 76
Monday, April 15, 2024
Ray Edgar Johnson, age 76, of Narragansett, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 11, 2024. He leaves behind his daughter and primary caregiver, Raye Anne Johnson-Seiger, and her husband, Gary. He is survived by his brother Charles Johnson (Mary Ann), his sister Sandra Johnson, his niece Kasey and nephew Max, and his ex-wife Jacqueline Smith.
Ray was born on April 28th, 1947, in Narragansett and called the ocean state his home for the majority of his life. The son of the late Elvin Johnson and Sarah (Lee) Johnson, Ray now joins his parents, his late sister Brenda and late nephew Troy.
Ray was well-known in Rhode Island for his outstanding basketball skills. Towering over his classmates at six foot seven inches, he was an all-state athlete on South Kingstown High’s basketball team in 1965 and 1966 leading the team to three state championships. Ray also attended Tabor Academy on Cape Cod and North Yarmouth Academy in Maine where he played basketball, lacrosse and tight end on the school’s first ever football team. Ray was naturally athletic and highly competitive. While basketball was his main sport, he scored 4 goals for NYA in his first lacrosse game and became an All-State football player. In 2012 he was inducted into North Yarmouth Academy’s Edgar F. White ’38 Athletic Hall of Fame. Just a year later, Ray was inducted into the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Hall of Fame.
Ray attended Providence College, making his mark on the Friar’s basketball court and graduating with the class of 1971. As part of the starting five, he played center for the Providence College basketball team from 1968-1971. His career at PC featured coaching by the legendary Joe Mullaney and David Gavitt with team members Jim Larranaga, Vic Colucci, Ernie DiGregorio, Nehru King, and Fran Costello. Ray played in a total of 77 games, contributing as a scorer and rebounder. A career highlight was his face-off with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor, in a UCLA vs. Providence College basketball game at Madison Square Garden in December 1968. While the Friars lost the game and Ray fouled out, he received a standing ovation for his defensive efforts. A die-hard Friars fan to the very end, Ray watched every men’s PC basketball game.
Beyond sports and in his professional career, Ray made an impact with his strong work ethic, his team collaboration skills, and mentorship. He worked at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections serving as Corrections Officer for almost 30 years. Ray also worked for several years with the Ocean Tides school helping young boys create a positive path in life. He was gifted with his ability to guide and mentor these students. Whether in his career or on the basketball court, Ray sustained strong friendships over many years; it was special to see those friends visit and call him in his final days.
A South County local through and through, Ray enjoyed countless hours at Narragansett Town Beach and Monahan’s Dock. Ever the athlete, he was a fixture at the South County YMCA and River Bend Athletic Club. You may have seen him on a run along the seawall or riding around in his truck with his two great danes; or perhaps you saw Ray on his sailboat off Block Island. Ray enjoyed his life in the ocean state and made friends easily with his good humor, and big smile.
Ray will be dearly missed by his friends and family. Those wishing to pay their respects may come to calling hours at Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield, RI 02879, on Saturday, April 20, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Providence College Frias Basketball Fund, 1 Cunningham Square, Providence, RI 02918 in memory of Ray Edgar Johnson #32
