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NORWALK, Conn. – Raymond P. Guthke, of Norwalk, and formerly of New Canaan died Jan. 4 at Norwalk Hospital. He was 79.
Born May 14, 1933, in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of Hubert and Irmgard Heiland Guthke. He was married to Mary Francis Compton Guthke, who survives him.
Guthke was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953, during the Korean War. He served until 1955, when he was honorably discharged. He worked in the business furniture market for various firms throughout his life.
While working in Chicago, he met and married his wife June 4, 1972. In 1976, they moved with their daughter to New Canaan. Guthke also worked for several local livery services, including Hoyt’s Livery and Regency Limo. He retired from Getabout Van Service as office manager and dispatcher Dec. 31.
Guthke was a member of the Masonic Order of New Canaan’s Harmony Lodge 67. He served as master and assistant district deputy during his many years as a mason. He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He was a former member of United Methodist Church of New Canaan. He served as a Boy Scout master at St. John’s EUB Church in Brooklyn.
Guthke is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth Guthke Buckner, of New Canaan; a son-in-law, Ben Buckner Jr.; two sisters, Dorothy Guthke and Kathy (F. Ashley) Rumery, both of New York; two grandchildren; and a niece.
There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. Thursday at United Church of Rowayton. Interment will be private. Hoyt Funeral Home in New Canaan is handling the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Whittingham Cancer Center, Norwalk Hospital, 24 Stevens St., Norwalk, CT 06852, New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 182 South Ave., New Canaan, CT 06840, Harmony Lodge 67, 231 Main St., New Canaan, CT 06840, or The Getabout Van Service, 61 Main St., New Canaan, CT 06840.
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