Raymond Mohr

That recognizable voice on the radio, "Ray, husband of Nina" passed away unexpectedly at his home in Manchester Village, VT in the early morning hours on November 11, 2017 at the age of 76. Raymond Michael Mohr was born to the parents of Francis J. Mohr and Evelyn Mohr of Bronx, NY on May 18, 1941. Predeceased were his parents and his four siblings John Mohr, Joan Mohr, Frances Mohr and Sister Margaret Mary Mohr. Raymond attended high school at Mount St. Michael Academy in Mount Vernon, NY where he was praised and encouraged by the Mount Brothers to go out for public speaking and theater. He then went on to Iona College in New Rochelle, NY where he played Pertuccihio in The Taming of the Shrew among many other theatrical performances. Once he moved to Vermont he enjoyed many roles at the Dorset Playhouse. Among his favorites were 10 Little Indians and Guys and Dolls. On October 26, 1963 he married his long time love Ann "Nina" Russo of Bronx, NY. While in college and after they married Ray worked with Nina's family in the jewelry business as well as working as an advertising salesman for Seventeen Magazine and Triangle Publications in New York City. It was during these years that Ray developed a keen sense of mail order, whereby he created and developed the processing for the "Blow Yourself Up" company. One would send in a regular size photo and had it enlarged to poster size. Nina and Ray worked together and ran this successful home based mail order business while raising their two daughters. The young family left the Bronx and moved to Congers, NY in an idyllic neighborhood where the family developed close bonds with friends that remain true to this day. Ray's hobbies included acting, cooking, photography, gardening, bowling, hunting and skiing in Vermont, vacationing at his summer home on Lake Cossayuna, NY and throwing a good party. He was a fourth Degree Knights of Columbus and started a chapter in Congers, NY. It was with the Knights of Columbus in Congers where Ray organized and spearheaded many charitable events such as the Tootsie Roll Drive and The Christmas Toy Drive. Together the family decided to move to Vermont in 1979, a place where they enjoyed vacationing. As their Color Labs business started to decline Ray and Nina decided it was time to reinvent themselves and go in another direction. With Ray's past sales experience and working alongside Nina's father in the family's jewelry store it only seemed natural to open a store of their own. In 1982 Nina's Jewelry opened their doors at Factory Point Square/Green Mountain Village Shops. It was in this small shop that Ray discovered the power of radio and he began a strong radio advertising campaign using his own distinct baritone voice that brought in customers from as far away as Florida. With a pricing policy never before tried by a quality jeweler, Nina's success afforded them to move the store to its current location at 241 Depot Street in Manchester, VT. On October 22, 1997 at the age of 55 Ray suffered a severe stroke which left his left side paralyzed and slurred speech. A few years later because of his declining health Ray stepped away from his business and let his family take over. Ray leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Nina Mohr, his oldest daughter Susan Mohr Murphy and her husband Kevin J. Murphy, younger daughter Dina Mohr Senecal and her husband Darrin S. Senecal along with their two children Rachel Mohr Senecal and Ethan Miles Mohr Senecal of whom Ray adored and was their biggest fan. Ray's family would like to thank the care givers at The Manchester Health Services who helped care for Ray over the past several years. Their assistance was greatly appreciated and will long be remembered. The family is planning a private memorial at a future date. The family is planning a private memorial at a future date.