Power Lunch!

By: Gerry Hawkins

I feel very fortunate to have known Ray and will never forget him. Ray was a great person, excellent lawyer, devoted family man and good friend. I was terribly saddened to see Ray deal with the increasingly debilitating effects of prostate cancer during the last ten years, and admired the strength he showed in fighting this disease. Ray willed himself to see his children become successful young adults, Liz and Emily’s weddings and the birth of Ty, and I know how much he wanted to see Liz and Kyle’s child this summer.

I knew Ray for over 35 years, starting shortly before I joined Elias & Matz, which soon became Elias, Matz, Tiernan & Herrick, in 1983. What I remember most about Ray is not any particular story or incident, but his fundamental decency. Ray was a very generous person, and each year during partnership meetings at the firm he gave up compensation to which he was clearly entitled so that others could benefit. Ray was incredibly successful because he was very smart, personable and genuine. During the years we practiced law together I often asked Ray for advice because I knew he had great analytical skills and judgment and he had a knack for quickly identifying the most practical solutions to difficult issues. Ray also was much fun to talk with generally, and indeed I think I will miss most talking with him during lunches and at other times about what was going on in the world. During these conversations I learned so much from Ray and always was impressed by how insightful he was about current issues generally and particularly those affecting our country. I often thought he missed his calling by not pursuing a career in politics.

Notwithstanding his professional accomplishments, Ray was very modest and humble. Ray practiced law in the capitol of the free world and became a giant in the banking industry, but he never forgot his small-town New England heritage or failed to appreciate his good fortune in life. Ray cared deeply for others, including of course his family and friends, the legal and nonlegal staff at the firm and the young inner-city African American girls who seek an education and foundation for life at The Washington School for Girls.

Ray had many interests outside the law. As you all know, Ray was very athletic before he suffered the debilitating effects of prostate cancer, and particularly enjoyed playing tennis and the annual family Thanksgiving soccer games. In recent years I especially enjoyed talking with Ray about the books he was reading and the shows he was streaming.

Ray’s greatest accomplishment and legacy is his family. I know how lucky and grateful Ray felt to have met and married Linda, and how much his children and other members of his family meant to him. Ray was incredibly proud of all of you, and did everything he could to ensure that you were healthy, happy and successful in all of your personal and professional endeavors. Ray left you way too soon, but he gave you a great way to help you handle life’s inevitable challenges. In addition to remembering the example he set and what he stood for, you likely will find the best way to address any problem by simply asking yourself “What would my dad do?”

I will continue to think of Ray and you often and follow you with great interest.

With sympathy, best wishes, peace and love,
Gerry