Raymond R. "Ray" Haas, 84, of Nippenose Valley, passed into the next life surrounded by his loving family on Monday, May 22, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, the former Ann M. Kaiser. 

Born July 16, 1932, he was a son to the late Elmer C. and Caroline M. (Lorson) Haas. His wife and children were the joys of his life, especially grandsons Braden and Ian. Ray was a true farmer, starting with Ted and Tony the workhorses on his father's farm. He was never afraid of hard labor, especially when providing for his family. Ray worked the small farm with cattle, chickens, and a huge garden, plus created homemade Pennsylvania Dutch specialty foods like sauerkraut, scrapple, apple butter, ice cream, and many more-all while working full-time as an equipment operator at Penn-Dot for 36 years. He loved hunting and John Deere tractors. A lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Church, Ray was fondly known as a food "collector" for the church's fundraiser picnics. 

Surviving in addition to his wife is a son, Robert R. Haas; four daughters, Tricia A. Ulmer (Trent), Marianne C. Guinter (Oran), Jennifer A. Pychinka (Aaron), and Tracy A. Haas-Ungard (Bill); the apples of his eye, grandsons, Braden Haas Guinter and Ian Haas Guinter; two brothers, Joseph Haas (Barb) and Edward Haas (Joan).

He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary B. Haas.

A Mass will be held 10 a.m. Friday, May 26, 2017, at Immaculate Conception Church, 5973 Jacks Hollow Road, Williamsport, Rev. Bert Kozen, officiating. Burial will immediately follow. Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 25, at Sanders Mortuary, 821 Diamond St., Williamsport.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ray's name to the Paternostro Family Foundation, PO Box 1862, Williamsport, PA 17703.

"And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, I need a caretaker. So God made a farmer. Somebody who'd plow deep and straight and not cut corners. Somebody to seed, weed, feed, breed, and rake and disc and plow and plant and replenish the self-feeder and finish a hard week's work with a drive to church. Somebody who'd bale a family together with the soft strong bonds of sharing, who would laugh and then sigh, and then reply, with smiling eyes, when his son says he wants to spend his life 'doing what dad does.' So God made a farmer." -Paul Harvey