Poultney, VT Mr. Raymond A. Ballard Jr. Raymond A. Buzz Ballard, Jr. 72, passed away Thursday evening July 21, 2011 at his residence in Poultney after a long illness. He was born March 28, 1939 in Granville, NY the son of Raymond A. Sr. & Mildred (Pratt) Ballard. He was a graduate of Granville High School class of 1957. Ray worked full-time on the family farm with his family until 1964, when he went to work at O.E. McIntyre in Rutland. Over the years the company changed hands many times and he ended his career as a mechanical supervisor, when it was Experian, in 2001. In 1982 he entered a program with Vermont Technical College, along with a group from Metro Mail and General Electric, to get his Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering, which he received in 1988. His two daughters were also in college at that time. Ray was an excellent student, an active 4-H member and a 50+ year Grange member. His interests were extensive and his hobbies included hunting, fishing, gardening, home remodeling, maple sugaring, traveling and reading. He loved to write poetry, and had several published. Ray was a member of the Poultney United Methodist Church, where he served in many capacities, including as a lay speaker. He was a member and Past Master of Morning Star Lodge # 37 F. & A.M. in Poultney, Past Patron of Evergreen Chapter # 63 O.E.S. now Fair Haven Chapter # 70 O.E.S. He served for many years on the Board of the Poultney Food Shelf. He is survived by his wife Bonnie (Winters) Ballard who he married on June 5th, 1976, his mother, Mildred Ballard, of Wells, two daughters, Deborah Aquino and her husband Victor of Dallas, TX, and Barbara Flouton and her husband Floyd of Hudson, NY, a son Jeff Ballard and his wife Stephanie, of Brookfield, NH, sisters Brenda Chmielewski and her husband Wayne and Joy Sendra and her husband Lee, both of Wells, VT, and by his step-children, Lisa Scanlon and husband Terry, of Isle, MN, Deborah Buckmaster and her partner Thomas, of Clarence, IA; Michael Siliski of Granville, NY, Rod Siliski and his wife Dawn , granddaughters, Amanda Flouton and Samantha Aquino, 14 step-grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father in 1991, and his sister Sylvia Chapin in 2009, and two step-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the Poultney United Methodist Church on August 6th, at 11 AM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Poultney Food Shelf, Inc. or Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice. Arrangements are under the direction of the Roberts-Aubin Funeral Home. www.robertsaubinfuneralhome.com .