Raymond Edward Doolittle, 79, of the Acworth Road in Charlestown, died Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at the Maplewood / Cheshire County Nursing Home in Westmoreland.

He was born in Hartford, CT on May 11, 1931 the son of Walter H. and Margaret (Yeaw) Doolittle.  He was raised in Connecticut and attended school in South Windsor and had resided in Charlestown for the past nine years.

Mr. Doolittle worked hard his whole life.  He especially enjoyed being a car salesman for various Ford Dealerships, including Paul and Sons in Claremont.

He was an avid gardener, raised beef cows and chickens, liked to build stone walls and keep his yard manicured.  He loved to fish and was proud of his collection of poles.  He taught himself to ski and play tennis.  He was  a certified Tennis Instructor.  Ray loved to feed and watch the birds that came to his feeders.

Mr. Doolittle was one of the founders of the Pioneer Valley Kennel Club.  He thoroughly enjoyed his Harlequin Great Danes.

His grandson, Lyle, was the joy of his life and he taught him to fish while he was still in diapers.

The surviving family includes two daughters, Lisa Kelly Doolittle and her husband Richard Ingalls of East Alstead and Leslie Kathryn Doolittle of Charlestown; one son Erik Yale Doolittle of Charlestown, one grandson, Lyle Kody Doolittle and his former wife Barbara Doolittle of Claremont.

Friends may call at the Stringer’s Charlestown Memorial Chapel, 34 Main Street on Monday evening from 6 to 8 PM.

Burial will be private in Hope Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to Maplewood  Nursing Home, Auxiliary Assoc., 201 River Road, Westmoreland, NH 03467-4410  or Pioneer Valley Kennel Club, Inc, 33 Kennedy Rd., West Brookfield, MA  01585.