Ray Stanley Boutwell

Ray Stanley Boutwell, age 97, of Voorhees, formerly of Cherry Hill, passed away on Thursday, February 22, 2024, with family by his side.

Ray was born in St Johnsbury, Vermont to Frank and Caroline (Wightman) Boutwell on June 1, 1926, to a family of boys, nine all together. Ray was the last surviving brother and told wonderful stories from his time on the farm. The Boutwell Boys were legendary.

In 1939, the family left Vermont for East Hartford, Connecticut where Ray graduated from Gilbert High in 1944. From there he joined the Navy in 1944 and was stationed in Pomona and Woodbine, NJ where he became a Ship's Cook third class. He was in the United States Naval Reserve after WWII.

Ray married his beautiful wife, Rosana, on February 24, 1946, in Mays Landing, NJ. They had one daughter.

Ray went to cook school in Atlantic City and began working in bakeries. He worked at McClintock's bakery in Haddonfield for 11 years and then went on to work at the Holly Bakery, in Pennsauken. He left there to open his own bakery, Boutwell's Pastry Shop, in West Deptford from 1972 to 1990. He was known for his beautiful scrumptious wedding cakes and delicious cinnamon buns.

After he sold his bake shop, he worked in various bakeries but eventually settled at Tiffany's bakery in the gallery in Philadelphia. He enjoyed working there and stayed for over a decade. He retired from baking at age 75.

Ray trained and mentored many bakers and decorators over the years. Ray was a member of the South Jersey Master Bakers Association and served 2 years as President. There he started a scholarship fund for students seeking training in the culinary arts.

Ray was a man of many skills and passions. He built a cabin in the woods with a huge stone fireplace, a large workshop in his backyard, furniture for his grandkids, and Adirondack chairs and tables.

Ray loved art. He took courses at Camden County College and Fleischer Art Memorial in Philadelphia for many years.

In 2019, Ray, at age 92, decided to come out of retirement and open a boozy cupcake shop and Ray's Boozy Cupcakes, etc. was born.

Ray described himself as a lifelong learner. He was an inspiration to many, to follow their dreams no matter their age. Ray never stopped dreaming.

After Ray closed his second bakery, he went to live with his daughter and finished out his life pursuing his portrait painting, landscapes and still life.

Ray leaves to mourn, his daughter, Rosana Mawson (Skip); granddaughters, Abigail DiGioia (Dominick) and Sadie Mawson (Jordan Arndts); four beautiful great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024, from 11am to 12pm, followed by a memorial service at 12pm at LeRoy P. Wooster Funeral Home, 441 White Horse Pike, Atco, NJ 08004. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to Samaritan Hospice by clicking this link or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by clicking this link.