Raymond F. Furnal

Raymond F. Furnal Ray Furnal, after a courageous battle with cancer, passed away at the age of 94. Ray was born in Canandaigua on February 25, 1930, to Olive and Raymond G. Furnal. He lived on a farm and, with the help of his two brothers, Bernie and Jim, assisted their parents in running the farm. He married Norma Sackett in 1949. They were blessed with five children: Brad, Rick, Ann, Debbie, and David. In June 1971, he adopted his daughter, Angela. Ray worked for Star Markets in Williamson before being transferred to Auburn, NY, which later became P&C Food Markets. From there, Ray became store manager of the P&C in Skaneateles. His dream was always to have a store of his own, so he purchased the Big M in Hilton, NY, in May 1970. His sons, Brad and Rick, joined him in this endeavor, and began the legacy of family run Big M's throughout the Greater Rochester area. Ray won Retailer of the Year twice during his ownership. While living in Hilton, he was very active in the community. He ran for Town Supervisor, coached T-ball, was a member of the Hilton Lions Club, and was a very active member of St. Paul's Lutheran church. Ray retired and moved to North Carolina in 1996, when ...[more]

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son, Rick, took over the business. Ray married his wife, Annette, on September 30, 1988. He gained two stepdaughters, Debbie and Tina. Ray and Annette enjoyed many travels together. Ray had many friends and he was very involved in his community and Holy Trinity Church in Hertford, North Carolina. He became involved no matter where he lived. Ray had many passions. He was an avid runner and skier, loved golf and woodworking, and his biggest passion was sailing. When he was young, he sailed on Canandaigua Lake and bought his first major boat, "Mon Ami," while living in New York. When he moved to North Carolina, he lived in Albemarle Plantation, where he had access to both a golf course and a marina, allowing him to fully enjoy his passions full time. Ray was wonderful and loving to everyone he met and always had a smile on his face. He truly lived life to the fullest. Ray was predeceased by his brothers, Bernie (and wife Marletta) and Jim (and wife Jean), his son Brad, granddaughter Londyn Humphrey, and grandson-in-law O'Neil Petty. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Annette; children Rick (Terry) Furnal, Ann (Scott) Hess, Debbie (Bob) Ryan, David (Audrana) Furnal, and Angie (Frank Yavorski) Quickenton; daughter-in-law Gloria Furnal; stepdaughters Tina (Brian) Chu and Debbie (Tony) Redden; 14 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren; and their wonderful "family angel," Stephanie Holohan. Raymond's life story will be shared during visitation 4:00-7:00pm on Thursday, August 1st at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane. His funeral service will be celebrated 11:00am on Friday, August 2nd at Hope Church, 1301 Vintage Lane. Memorial donations can be made in Raymond's name to Hope Church, 1301 Vintage Lane, Rochester NY 14626.