Ray Howard Coddington

In Loving Memory of Ray Coddington

Ray Howard Coddington passed away peacefully on August 1, 2026, spending his last weeks surrounded by his family.

Ray was born on April 8, 1942, to Raymond and Ruth Coddington. He grew up on Ellis Avenue in Irvington, New Jersey, and spent many summers in Point Pleasant. It was there that he met the love of his life, Candide. Candide was driving the wrong way down a one-way street when Ray came to her rescue.

After high school, he joined Irvington Fire Department. He enlisted in the Air Force during the Vietnam War and served as a firefighter. Once his tour of duty was over, he rejoined the Irvington Fire Department. He found a career he truly loved and eventually rose to Captain, leading the brave men of Station 4.

Ray was the oldest of six siblings - Ronald, Russell, Ruthann, Roy, and Randy. While some of his brothers and sister have passed on, Russell and Randy remain to carry on the stories of mischief and memories of growing up together.

Ray and Candy were blessed with three daughters - Denise, Christine, and Renée, and six grandchildren - Luke, Kaitlin, Charina, Kekoa, Kaila, and Tiana. He loved his grandchildren dearly, and you could hear the pride and happiness in his voice every time he talked about them to anybody who would listen.

Ray created a great life for his family throughout his years. He built several family homes, each time “moving up” to the next one. In retirement, Ray and Candy moved to Hilton Head Island, where he also built two wonderful homes and enjoyed his well-earned free time. Although the houses would change, his love and dedication to his family made each place feel like home.

Eventually, they found their way to a beautiful farm property in western Massachusetts. It was there you would find him doing his favorite things; walking his property with his dog -first Sugar, later Luci-, or mowing with his tractor, riding the trails on his ATV, and tending to his garden. He took good care of his wonderful property and loved feeding his peacocks, chickens, ducks, and guinea hens. The most memorable highlights at ‘Wildwood Farm’ were the annual Coddington Family reunions. He loved sharing his beloved property, and his extended family enjoyed making the trek north to camp in the yard and spending time together. The duck races, the giant slip-and-slide, the raffle, the campfires, and the breakfasts were memorable parts of the yearly weekend gathering at the farm.

Although he never drank coffee, that didn't stop him from becoming a regular member of the Monterey Coffee Club, where he joined his friends each morning in the church basement. He made friends wherever he went and wasn’t afraid to start a conversation with a stranger while walking with the dog.

There will be no formal services at this time. In Ray's memory, his family invites you to do something he would have appreciated: to plant something beautiful in your yard and watch it grow.