William R. Cresswell

William Raycroft Cresswell, “Ray”, beloved Husband, Dad, Brother, Uncle, Papa and Grampy entered through the gates of Heaven on February 14, 2022, in Nashua, NH after a period of declining health from Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia.

He was born in Huntington, NY on June 13, 1945, son of William and Rita Cresswell.  He grew up in NY, graduating from boarding school at Eastern Military Academy in Cold Spring Harbor, NY located in the famous Oheka Castle. Ray also went back to school later in life and graduated from UNH Manchester with a BA in history. He moved to Candia, NH in 1982 with his wife and family and stayed there until his passing.

He had many jobs throughout his life, working as a blood runner for the American Red Cross, a senior component engineer, school bus driver, mail carrier, wrote many articles on firearms and history for assorted magazines, acted as Docent for both the Millyard Museum and the Aviation Museum, located in Manchester, NH, participated in Revolutionary War re-enactments, worked with horses, and had a farm with Pia for 40 years. He was the Director of Historic Preservation for his EMA Alumni Association. His passions included preserving and sharing history and teaching. This was evidenced in his long-term role as an instructor for Hunter’s Safety Education for almost 30 years. He was a teacher of History, Bible, German, Hunter Education and led special Veteran’s and Memorial day’s program for Lighthouse Christian Academy. Ray was also very involved with Jesse Remington High School for many years in many different roles. He taught Humanities and was very hands on with the annual Humanities Faire they hosted.  He also taught various electives like Government, Debate, Current Events, Hunter Education, film criticism, etc. He was an excellent teacher, and many students have fond memories of his classes. He was also very active in his church, New Life Assembly of God, where he was a member for almost 30 years. He taught Sunday School, Youth Group, Membership classes, volunteered faithfully for VBS, Trunk or Treat, and the Town of Raymond’s 4^th of July parade, where he participated with his antique Packard or marched in Revolutionary War costume, complete with muskets, and helped with the activities held on the common. He would also participate in costume, both Revolutionary War and Civil War uniforms, with the town of Candia’s Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day ceremonies. Ray was also a member of Candia’s own Heritage Commission.

He is survived by his wife, Pia (Carlson-DeVito), his children; son William Kenneth Cresswell (Ken), wife Karen and daughter Erica Harriell and husband Devan of Aiken, SC; son Joshua Cresswell and his children Aiyanna, Eva, and William Seamus of Deerfield, NH; daughter Joanna Kajka and husband Jason with daughter Julianna of Hampstead, NH; and son Matthew Cresswell of Hampstead, NH. He is also survived by his older sister Bea Hartigan, her daughter Meg and family from Huntington, NY; his sister-in-law Cheryl Myers, her son James and family of Raymond, NH; and his sister-in-law Barbi Carlson of Arbor Vitae, WI.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am, 2/26/22, at New Life Assembly of God, 84 Nottingham Rd Raymond, NH.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Missions Fund at New Life Assembly of God in Raymond, NH.