Posted by Bob Wicks on Oct 13, 2022
President Ray Morley will be remembered for his service, compassion, and generosity.  As the members of the Ipswich-Rowley Rotary Club mourn the passing of our beloved sitting President, we do so with the memory of what he represented both in Rotary and to the community.  Generous to a fault, Ray didn’t know how to say no; he freely helped anyone, in any way he could.  He epitomized the Rotary motto of ‘Service Above Self’.   
 
As a former Selectman, service organization leader, local entrepreneur and Chef, Ray was well positioned to help his community.  For many years before becoming our 99th club President in July, he was a reliable and indispensable supporter of club hosted events, preparing most of the food we served and often donating the facilities of his Inn.  Following the disastrous Mother’s Day Flood of 2006, the club honored Ray with its ‘Person of the Year’ award to recognize his tireless efforts and extreme generosity in supporting displaced families and heroic relief workers. 
 
Many members fondly remember the hours spent in Chef Ray’s ‘summer kitchen’ annex at the Ipswich Inn, chopping, peeling, and preparing the large quantities of high quality food we served.  Occasionally, Ray would include seafood he caught himself aboard his beloved cruiser based in Gloucester harbor, or some of his locally famous chili and 'chowdah'.  Helping in the kitchen was hard work, but in Ray's kitchen it also was fun.  One member recalls how Ray always made her feel welcome, and how he treated everyone with kindness and compassion.  Another member thinks of him as a man of action, who inspired others to action.
 
We always will be grateful to Ray for his infectious good humor, genuine kindness, and most of all for his friendship.  His passing has left a hole in our hearts that will be hard to fill.  
 
In the photo above, Ray is seen overseeing food preparation by Rotarians for the 'Ipswich Dinner Bell'.  
 
In the image collection below: Ray presides at a club meeting this past summer; and enjoys breakfast in our meeting place at the Village Pancake House in Rowley.  Rotarians working hard in the 'Summer Kitchen; and preparing to serve at the 'Ipswich Dinner Bell'.  Ray enjoying his yacht in Gloucester Harbor, assisted by two future Rotarians; and helping us celebrate the holidays with one of our Rotary Youth Exchange scholars.  In the final photo, Ray served up his famous chili at the 'Rowley Chili Cookoff' on the Common, assisted by Rotarians and Rep Brad Hill.