Raymond Scussel's Obituary
Raymond C. Scussel, 91, of Wethersfield, CT, passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2012. Born October 14, 1920 in Stafford Springs, CT, Ray was the son of the late Angelo and Teresa Scussel. He is survived by his loving son Evan P. Scussel, daughter-in-law Lynn, and grandchildren Hunter Raymond Scussel, and Hadley Joanne Scussel, all of Chicago, IL. Ray also leaves behind to mourn his former wife Maria Scussel and her husband Keith Ryder of Wethersfield, CT; his brother Mano and his wife Marilyn of Stafford Springs, CT; and many nephews and nieces. His brother Alexander and his sister Irma (Scussel) Burrell predeceased him. Like most children of the Great Depression, Ray had to overcome many obstacles to achieve his life ambitions. Ray elected to attend Windham High School, nearly 20 miles from his home, as he thought that his attendance there would afford him more opportunities to succeed. Those opportunities, however, came with a cost. In order to participate in extra- curricular activities, he would have to forfeit his bus ride home from school as the only bus going to Stafford Springs left immediately after normal school hours. Consequently, following baseball, basketball or football practice, Ray would have to walk, run and hitchhike to get home, sometime arriving after 10:00 at night, both hungry and cold. Not to be deterred, Ray graduated from Windham High School in 1940 with high honors and was named best high school athlete. After high school, Ray went on to star in football at both the University of Connecticut and Yale University. It was while playing football at Yale that Ray earned the nickname, "The Scooter" by a New Haven sportswriter who proclaimed him to be, "one of the fastest things ever to wear a Yale uniform". Perhaps Ray's best game at Yale was played on October 24, 1943 against a venerable Army team that featured four All-Americans led by the great Glenn Davis. Yale lost that day, but as Dave Egan, sportswriter for the Boston Globe wrote, "But the story of this game from the point of view of those who witnessed it, is the story of Ray Scussel. It was Army, which was to have the wealth of talent. It was Glenn Davis of Army who was supposed to be the All-American. But on this day, and on this field, it was Scussel who was the All-American". George Trevor of the Philadelphia Sun quoted legendary Army coach Earl "Red " Blaik as saying that, "Scussel is the best back I have seen this year". Ray also grabbed national attention when Yale defeated Princeton 27-6 on November 13, 1943, as he ran and passed for an astounding 4 touchdowns, gaining 125 yards running from scrimmage and passing for 77 more yards. Ray ended the 1943 season being named to the AP All America College Football Team. Ray was a proud Marine Corps veteran of WWII and served in China for 10 months in 1946. In 1951 Ray was called up for active duty during the Korean Conflict and admirably served his country for 27 more months at Camp Lejeune, NC and Quantico, VA. He attained the rank of Major, USMC. Upon completion of his military tour of duty, Ray returned to CT and became a renowned amateur golfer. Ray was a two-time winner of the Norwich Invitational Tournament, a two- time winner of Bristol's Pequabuck Golf Club 4-ball tournament, a two-time winner of the Torrington Invitational 4-ball tournament, a winner of the Rockledge Golf Club's last 4-ball tournament, a record 8- time winner of the East Hartford Open, and a two-time runner up in the CT Amateur Golf Tournament. While living in Pittsburgh, PA, Ray was also the two-time club champion of the Pittsburgh Field Club. Reflecting upon his life as a Yale graduate, All-American football player, Marine Corps Major, and well recognized amateur golfer, Ray said proudly that graduating from Windham High School in 1940 with high honors was his greatest achievement! Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 13, 2012 from 5-7 P.M. at Introvigne Funeral Home, Inc., 51 East Main St., Stafford Springs, CT. Burial with Military Honors in Stafford Springs Cemetery, Stafford Springs, CT, will be held privately. For online condolences or directions, please visit: www.introvignefuneralhome.com
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