Ray was born on May 1, 1916, near Sabin, MN, to James and Amanda (Kuehl) Connelly. He grew up and attended school there. He was united in marriage to Elnora Tabatt on November 19, 1941 at Sabin, MN, and they made their home south of Glyndon, MN. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from January 28, 1942 until October 17, 1945, in the Pacific Theatre of WWII. Ray was a heavy equipment operator for 25 years and was the Clay County Shop Foreman for the last ten years of his career, retiring in 1981. He was a life member of the Moorhead American Legion Post 21, and the Moorhead V.F.W. Elnora died on January 1, 2002.

Raymond is survived by two sons, Pat (Nancy) Connelly, Fargo, ND, and Fred (Janet) Connelly, Canton, OH; five grandchildren, Cindy Boe, Heather (Scott) Syverson, Jason Connelly, Lisa (Roy) Burton, Scott Connelly; one sister, Arbutus Byars, Wolverton, MN. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and four brothers, James, Norman, Willis and Roland.