George Raymond Nestor

Waltham – Mr. George Raymond 'Ray' Nestor, of Waltham, died Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at the E.N. Rogers Memorial Veterans Administration Hospital in Bedford. He was 85.

Ray was born in Somerville on April 29, 1925, a son of the late Joseph M. and Grace A. (Ketchum) Nestor and was raised in Medford. After graduating from Medford High School in 1943 he joined the United States Marine Corps in a career that spanned three wars.

In 1970 Ray retired as a Chief Warrant Officer Four after spending twenty-seven years in the Marine Corps. He served during World War II, the Korean War and spent two tours of duty in Vietnam. After his retirement from the Marine Corps he went to work for the United States Customs Service.

Ray retired to South Yarmouth and moved to Waltham in 1997. He was a life member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and the Marine Corps League.

He leaves his wife, Barbara A. (Tintle) (LaCrosse) Nestor; his children, Elizabeth A. Ruhkala of McCall, Idaho, Teresa R. Nestor of Athens, Georgia and Joseph P. Nestor of Waxhaw, North Carolina; his step-children, Cheri A. Gollinger of Waltham, Theresa M. DeFronzo of Holliston, Dianne M. Lombardi, Stewart J. LaCrosse, Jr., both of Waltham and Peter A. LaCrosse of Ashland; his sister and brothers, Grace Allonby of Malden, Kenneth Nestor of Billerica, John Nestor of Salem, New Hampshire; 15 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Ray was also the husband of the late Mary Nell (Harris) Nestor and a brother of the late Helen Dugan, Isabel Ralston, James, Robert and Joseph Nestor.

Family and friends will honor and remember Ray's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday from 4 – 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Grove Hill Cemetery, Waltham.