Members Say A Fond Farewell To "Poppa" Ray Hanbury
 
By Public Information Officer Douglas Medley
May 12, 2014
 

On May 8, 2014 the firefighters of Bay District bid farewell to one of our most beloved members. Horatio “Ray” Hanbury was 86 years young when he passed away at home surrounded by his loving wife Joyce and the rest of the family. I don’t have all the facts in front of me but I think that he was married to Joyce for 68 years.

Now this man has a lot of history with him and I’m not here to try and tell you everything. I ask that you check out his obituary on the Brinsfield-Echols web site to get all the impressive details. He was a veteran of World War II and part of the greatest generation. Now that is in itself a great story but as a fireman I wanted to speak of his love for the fire service. Ray or “Poppa” as we called him was a firefighter in the District of Columbia for 25 years and a volunteer fireman for probably 60 years or so if you totaled up all his time.

Now I could see from the turnout to his funeral just how well he was thought of in the fire service. It was amazing to see all the old timers from departments all over the state of Maryland. The many, many stories that I had the privilege of hearing about Poppa just blew my mind. I guess funerals are to be sad but this one was different and I know that Poppa would have wanted it that way.

Now before you criticize me about the pictures and story know that I asked Joyce and the rest of the family if it was okay to run this story. They all said they would love for me to say a few words and take a few pictures and that is exactly what I intended to do. This is my way to honor this legend of the fire service who was such a mentor to all the members of our department and many others.

One quick story that was told by one of his many friends was when Poppa was a member of the Oxon Hill Volunteer Fire Department while living in Prince George’s County and he lived over in the Allentown Road area of the county. Well one day he left the firehouse in his favorite car and while heading home it caught on fire. Well it seems Oxon Hill went the wrong way and by the time they found the car it was burnt to the rims of the tires. Poppa was so mad that he told them he was going to start his own fire department in Allentown Road and that is just what he did. They are now one of the premier departments in Prince George’s County. This was just one of many stories that would have you busting a gut laughing and Poppa was there laughing right along with us.

After the service at the funeral home we all went down to our social hall where we broke bread and heard more stories about this wonderful man from his friends and family.

So Raymond you went out in style just the way you would have wanted. Rest in peace now my brother wrapped in the arms of our Lord and tell Pete hello for all of us.
 
Units: Engine 91, Engine 93, Tower 9 Truck 3 and Command Units
 
Mutual Aid: Truck 7 (Hollywood VFD) Engine from Allentown Road VFD in Prince George's County
 
Our brother Raymond "Poppa" Hanbury at his final resting place. Suffer no more fine friend.
Our brother Raymond "Poppa" Hanbury at his final resting place. Suffer no more fine friend.
The crowd of firefighters and family file into the funeral home.
The crowd of firefighters and family file into the funeral home.
 
The Adams Boys. Kyle and Jason. Jason drove all the way from Charlotte N.C. to be here to pay his respects. Now is that love or what.
The Adams Boys. Kyle and Jason. Jason drove all the way from Charlotte N.C. to be here to pay his respects. Now is that love or what.
We even had the pleasure of having Mr. and Mrs. Richard Corcoran in attendance.
We even had the pleasure of having Mr. and Mrs. Richard Corcoran in attendance.
 
Some of those fine friends of Poppa's. John and Leone Gatton with Bill Cooke and Mrs. Melisa Gould in front.
Some of those fine friends of Poppa's. John and Leone Gatton with Bill Cooke and Mrs. Melisa Gould in front.
Couldn't resist this picture of a young Poppa Ray in his District of Columbia uniform. Fine looking man isn't he.
Couldn't resist this picture of a young Poppa Ray in his District of Columbia uniform. Fine looking man isn't he.
 
Father Tom who when at the Immaculate Heart of Mary church was one of our best drivers. I always felt safe riding with him and the Lord.
Father Tom who when at the Immaculate Heart of Mary church was one of our best drivers. I always felt safe riding with him and the Lord.
Chief 3A Joe Gould along with the Fire Chief Robert Wahrenbrock and my bestest buddy 1st. Vice President Richard Sullivan.
Chief 3A Joe Gould along with the Fire Chief Robert Wahrenbrock and my bestest buddy 1st. Vice President Richard Sullivan.
 
My Buddy from the nuthouse Company 7 (Hollywood VFD) Ricky Brady who was the tiller man on Truck 7. Fine looking fellow.
My Buddy from the nuthouse Company 7 (Hollywood VFD) Ricky Brady who was the tiller man on Truck 7. Fine looking fellow.
Another pal from our brothers at Company 7 Timmy Vallandingham along with our own Gary Hanbury. Timmy was the driver on Truck 7 and we do thank them for coming.
Another pal from our brothers at Company 7 Timmy Vallandingham along with our own Gary Hanbury. Timmy was the driver on Truck 7 and we do thank them for coming.
 
Filling up fast.
Filling up fast.
Who is that smiling face in the middle. Why it's our own Dave Smiley. We miss you Dave and would love to see you back with us fulltime.
Who is that smiling face in the middle. Why it's our own Dave Smiley. We miss you Dave and would love to see you back with us fulltime.
 
Past Chief Down along with the rest of the members who came to pay their respects.
Past Chief Down along with the rest of the members who came to pay their respects.
Mr. President Wayne Johnson and his wife Lauren were in attendance and that is our brother and life member John Logalbo sitting next to Wayne.
Mr. President Wayne Johnson and his wife Lauren were in attendance and that is our brother and life member John Logalbo sitting next to Wayne.
 
Mr. Fairfax our Chaplain gives opening comments.
Mr. Fairfax our Chaplain gives opening comments.
These are some of Poppa's old friends from Allentown Road VFD and some of the stories they had would have you rolling in the aisle.
These are some of Poppa's old friends from Allentown Road VFD and some of the stories they had would have you rolling in the aisle.
 
This is hard to see but wanted to show it anyway. It is a picture of the first fire station that Ray helped to build in Allentown Road. It was so nice and I know that Joyce (seated) will fine a good place to hang it.
This is hard to see but wanted to show it anyway. It is a picture of the first fire station that Ray helped to build in Allentown Road. It was so nice and I know that Joyce (seated) will fine a good place to hang it.
The Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen's Association Chaplain Mark Bowen from Prince Frederick VFD gave a moving service.
The Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen's Association Chaplain Mark Bowen from Prince Frederick VFD gave a moving service.
 
Our Father Tom didn't do bad either. Poppa had asked that Father Tom speak at his funeral.
Our Father Tom didn't do bad either. Poppa had asked that Father Tom speak at his funeral.
United States Air Force did the presenting of the colors to the family.
United States Air Force did the presenting of the colors to the family.
 
Had to see but this is Joyce accepting the flag from the military color guard.
Had to see but this is Joyce accepting the flag from the military color guard.
Firefighters lined the sides of the funeral home after passing in front of the casket one last ti
Firefighters lined the sides of the funeral home after passing in front of the casket one last ti
 
An excellent turn out of the firefighters who many took off from work to be there for Poppa and his family.
An excellent turn out of the firefighters who many took off from work to be there for Poppa and his family.
Wouldn't you know there would be someone who didn't make the group picture cause they were off talking to someone. Our Jimmy Barnes.
Wouldn't you know there would be someone who didn't make the group picture cause they were off talking to someone. Our Jimmy Barnes.