Paul W. ‘Bolt’ Raynor, Jr. passed on Tuesday afternoon (April 25, 2017) at his beloved cabin on the family land in Arkwright. He was 59 years old.
He was born Dec. 19, 1957 in Dunkirk, the son of the late Paul W. Sr. and Lorraine F. (Town) Raynor.
A lifelong area resident, Paul retired from the Village of Fredonia Wastewater treatment plant as an operator after 35 years of service. Additionally, he served his CSEA union brothers and sisters as a grievance man and negotiator.
A true free spirit, he was well-known for his fun loving, larger than life personality as well as his kind and generous nature. He was a man of many talents with the unique ability to fix anything that was set in front of him.
Not one to remain idle, his many interests included bison farming, deer processing, sausage making (R.B.I.), cliff jumping, as well as softball. He was notorious for his rifle arm as third baseman on the Kings Tavern softball team. He was caretaker of the family farm in Arkwright, where he hosted legendary annual Raynorosa gatherings. Family and friends meant the world to Paul, and he liked to entertain them with his cooking abilities-wings and tips were among his specialties, and he had a personal affinity for French fries.
Paul will be sorely missed by all who knew him.Survivors include one daughter, Alicia Raynor of Wilmington, NC; three grandchildren, Tyrek and Milan Wilson, and Nathen Sam; step-daughter, Jodi Sam; one sister, Susan Raynor of Greensboro, NC; three brothers, Daniel Raynor, Sean (Trudi) Raynor, and Matthew Raynor, all of Dunkirk; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held Saturday afternoon at 1 o’clock in St. John’s United Church of Christ, 733 Central Ave., Dunkirk. Pastor Zoe Milliman will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dunkirk Free Library or Forestville Rescue Squad.
Arrangements are by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.
From the Observer
