Raymond Johnsen Salamanca, age 90 of Redding, CT, passed away Friday, November 26, 2021 at Danbury Hospital, Danbury, CT. He was born on September 30, 1931 in Bryn Mawr, PA, son of the late Florentino and Margit Salamanca.

Ray was a graduate of Lower Merion Senior High School where he was a member of the Chamber Music Club, Orchestra, Band, and "Merry Knights" jazz ensemble. Nick named, "Duke" after Duke Ellington, Ray played oboe and alto & soprano saxophone.

Ray attended the Drexel Institute of Technology, Philadelphia, PA and left in his third year for Naval flight training. As a naval cadet, he performed on the Arthur Godfrey and Ed Sullivan TV shows singing with the cadet Navy choir. Ray served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and was stationed with VR-24 squadron at Port Lyautey, Morocco and Rota, Spain as a C-130 pilot. He retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1972 at the rank of Commander.

Ray was recruited after flight school by Pan American Airlines. During a Pan Am furlough, Ray was able to complete his Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration at Drexel. He was a member of the Theta Chi and Sigma Rho fraternities. Rehired by Pan Am, he flew 30 years and achieved the rank of Captain before being pulled over to United Airlines as part of the Pacific route purchase in 1986. He flew another 13 years with United and had the privilege of flying U.S. troops during Desert Storm as part of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet program. Ray retired as a pilot when he turned 60 in 1991, but continued as a flight engineer until age 65. All told, Ray had 47 wonderful years of flying.

In addition to his love of flying, Ray was an avid sailor, scuba diver, and chess master. He sailed his 16' sailboat "Slow Motion" in the Long Island Sound from Westport, CT. He scuba dove around the globe including his favorite, the Great Barrier Reef. And he volunteered many hours of his time mentoring youth and taught chess to those wanting to learn.

In 2014, Ray was predeceased by his second wife of 24 years, Ann McGregor Salamanca. He is survived and dearly missed by his daughter Beth Salamanca and spouse Norma; his first wife, Bonita Salamanca; his son, Ronald Salamanca; step children Theresa Eke and husband Bruce Barret, Josephine Eke, Rosanne Eke, and Mike Eke; their children, grandchildren and great grandchild.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 8 at 11:30am, First Church of Christ, 25 Cross Highway, Redding, CT followed by a Celebration of Ray's Life at a location to be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ray Salamanca's memory can be made to the American Cancer Society https://donate3.cancer.org . To share your fondest memories of Ray, please visit www.boutonfuneralhome.com