Dr. Raymond L. Kotch, 101, of New Canaan, passed away peacefully of natural causes at his home on April 8, 2023.
Raymond Kotch, 101, passed away April 8. A memorial service will take place at a later date.
Ray grew up in New York City, and attended Erasmus Hall, DeWitt Clinton High School, and City University of New York. He graduated from the College of Dental Medicine of Columbia University, and was an attending oral surgeon at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City.
In the early 1950s, Ray served as a captain in the United States Army during the Korean War. When he was discharged, Ray began a 50-year career in general dentistry in Darien, in some cases treating three generations of patients.
Ray was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Mary Heleba Kotch, whom he met when she was a nurse at Mt. Sinai. They settled in New Canaan in 1953 and there raised three daughters: Jamie Kotch (James Corkindale), Janice Gutowski (Dr. W.Thomas Gutowski), and Jane Kotch Barucci. Ray is also survived by six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Throughout his life, Ray always enjoyed learning about and experiencing new things. His many interests have included tennis, traveling, woodworking, photography, gardening, and antique clock repair.
He was a member of the Darien Country Club, The Lake Club of Wilton, The Men’s Club of New Canaan, and the New Canaan YMCA. He enjoyed the arts, music, and theater, and loved animals and the great outdoors. Ray will be remembered as a supportive, generous, and loyal husband, father, and friend. A celebration of Ray’s life will take place in New Canaan, at a date to be determined.
— an obituary from Hoyt Funeral Home, where online condolences may be left