Raymond Dennis Sackie

DURHAM – Raymond Dennis Sackie (Ray), age 75, passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2025, with his wife, Deborah (Deb), daughter Julia and son-in-law, Josh by his side. He was born on January 10, 1950, in Mt. Vernon, New York. He attended Mt Vernon HS where he was the co-captain of the varsity football team. Ray also played football for Westchester Community College where he was enrolled for a time before enlisting in the US Naval Reserve. Upon completing two years of active duty on the USS Spiegel Grove, Ray attended RCA Institute of Technology in New York City from 1972-74 receiving an associate degree in Electronics. Ray lived in Mt. Vernon until 1978 when he married Deborah Milder and they moved to Durham, North Carolina. They welcomed their daughter, Julia in 1981, who would always be daddy’s girl. Ray was a dedicated father to Julia and a loving grandfather to his two grandchildren, Jillian and Joshua.

Ray worked at Research Triangle Institute for over 30 years as an electronics technician, laboratory support coordinator and facilities project manager. Ray received several awards for outstanding team performance and was well respected. Ray loved to tinker in electronic systems and gadgets at home, always wanting to learn more. Ray’s leisure time was filled with Sunday golf games with the same foursome for over 20 years, many years of wine dinners with a select group of friends, and vacations with his family. Ray loved playing his Martin guitar and had a lovely voice to accompany his music. Last of all, Ray loved his New York Giants.

He was predeceased by his parents, John Patrick and Margaret Carlsen Sackie; his sisters, Marilyn Napolitano (Paul) and Eleanor Rende. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Deborah; his daughter, Julia Summey and husband, Josh; grandchildren, Jillian and Joshua Coutu; brother John Sackie (Cynthia); sister-in-law, Mary Varoglu (Salih); brother-in-law Carmine Rende; nephews, John, Robert, Paul and Michael Napolitano, Steven Rende, Christopher Sackie, Taylor Varoglu and their spouses and children; and nieces, Carolyn Fortin, Kim Colesano, Talia Varoglu and their spouses and children. He was also predeceased by numerous loving cats and is survived by his faithful pup, Lucy.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Drs. Haines and Vatsaas and the rest of the SICU team at Duke that cared for Ray in his final days and hours.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on January 10, 2026, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 1001 Mason Rd., Durham, NC, with Fr. John Curran presiding. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery.

Friends may visit 30 minutes prior to Mass in the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or ASPCA.

The Sackie family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.