M. Raymond Adler

M. Raymond Adler of Baltimore died January 7, 2022. He was 97. Born in Brooklyn in 1924 to Rose and Albert Adler, Ray grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York. He was a WWII veteran and a member of the storied 10th Mountain Division. A gifted draftsman and skilled carpenter, Ray opened his eponymous Ray Adler Inc. General Contractors in Stamford, Conn. in 1962. As a commercial builder, his name appeared on cornerstones throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, including West Point Military Academy, Quinnipiac College and Homestead Air Force Base in Florida. Ray could fix anything and was fond of furniture making, completing dozens of intricate pieces during his lifetime. He built his first house for his bride Helen Elaine Harris when they married in 1948. Throughout his life Ray made additions to his homes in New York, Connecticut and Maryland, where he moved in 1990. Ray added a second story to a winter home in the Dominican Republic, which was an especially difficult task, as Ray could barely speak Spanish. He had an adventurous spirit and remained undaunted by any challenge. Ray and Helen raised three daughters, Andrea, Randi and April in Stamford. After a gratifying career, Ray retired at age 59 to upstate Connecticut and became a gentleman farmer, raising sheep. He also pursued his passion for automobiles, belonging to car clubs in Connecticut and Maryland. Some of his treasured cars included an Alvis, Corvair, Fiat Dino and Spyder. He maintained his 1968 R/T Dodge Charger in pristine condition for more than 40 years. Ray was talented at restoring vintage cars and won trophies at car shows along the East Coast. In 2014, he won Second Place at the A.A.C.A. National Fall Meet in Hershey, Penn. with his red 1988 XJ6 Jaguar convertible. Ray was a world traveler who was always planning his next trip. There were few European countries he hadn’t visited. He could recall with great detail his African safari adventure and a trip to Russia. Ray was a history buff and had a vast collection of Abraham Lincoln memorabilia. One of his oft-made jokes was that he would take his family to Wappingers Falls, New York, and in 2017 he finally came through. With daughters Andrea and April and his 4 grandchildren in tow, the family toured the Hudson River Valley and his Poughkeepsie stomping grounds. His family was lucky enough to see his boyhood home and learn firsthand about his idyllic childhood during The Depression. Ray graduated from Poughkeepsie High School in 1942, and after the war attended both Bates and Alfred College. Ray was a dear friend to many. He was an animal lover who donated to animal rescue charities and always had a dog by his side. Ray was truly larger than life, a member of the Greatest Generation who will be forever missed. In addition to his daughters Andrea (Bill) of Catonsville and April (Dr. Justin) of Millersville, Ray is survived by grandchildren Mariel, Alanna, Jayna and Jack, as well as nephew Cliff Adler and niece Amber Pregnolato. He was pre-deceased by his daughter Randi in 1999 and ex-wife Helen in 2001. A marriage to Barbara Venezia Ross ended in divorce. Due to the Covid pandemic, a celebration of life will take place at a later date. Arrangements are being made by MacNabb Funeral Home in Catonsville. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the SPCA.