Belmont, NY - Raymond D. Bliven, age 77, of the Baker Valley Road passed away on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born on September 15, 1939 in Wellsville to Lavern and Gertrude Gayhart Bliven. On December 31, 1960 in Belmont he married Barbara Gearhart who predeceased him in 1989.
Raymond was a lifelong resident of the Baker Valley Road who graduated from Belmont Central High School and from the Williamsport Technical School in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He began his career in 1960 as a draftsman for Worthington Corporation in Wellsville retiring from Dresser Rand in 2000. Raymond was a quiet, hardworking and handy man who built his own home. He also enjoyed many trips across the country with his faithful companion” Boris”.
Raymond is survived by a son, Mark (Deborah) Bliven of Belmont and a daughter, Rebecca (Derek) Smith of Ransomville; 7 grandchildren, John, Joshua, and Jamie Buzzard, Devin, Derick, and Nicole Ahrens, and Megan Bliven; 12 great grandchildren; 2 brothers, Charles (Barbara) Bliven, and James (Judy) Bliven both of Belmont; a sister, Beverly Leilous of Belmont; a sister in law, Barbara Bliven of Portville; several nieces and nephews.
Raymond was predeceased by his wife Barbara; a daughter, Constance “Connie” Bliven; a brother, Donald Bliven; a brother in law, William Leilous.
Friends are invited to call on Monday, September 11, from 12 noon to 2 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Belmont. Burial will take place following the calling hours in Forest Hills Cemetery and memorials in Raymond’s name may be made to the Belmont Fire Department. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.