Obituary

Source: The Daily Herald, Everett, WA, USA

Feb. 3, 1925 - Jan. 3, 2009

Raymond "Dick" Daly peacefully passed at the age of 83 at his home in Lake Stevens, Washington. Born in Bethel, CT, the youngest of seven children, he was raised in a Catholic Orphanage in the Bronx after the loss of his parents at the age of three. In 1943 he enlisted in the Marine Corp at the age of 17. During his 22 years of service he fought in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He served as a machine gunner in the 4th Infantry Division at the Battle of Iwo Jima. He later became a Drill Instructor at Paris Island. He received many commendations for his service including a Purple Heart, American Theater Metal, WWII Victory Metal, Korean Service Metal, and a National Defense Service Metal. He retired as a master (top) sergeant, and earned the nickname "Top Daly".

After his valiant service to his country he moved to the Northwest, and for a few years taught JROTC and Political Science at the University of Washington. From 1967 to 1986 he was a teacher and mentor at Snohomish High School.

While stationed in Japan during WWII he started participating in Judo and came to love the sport. In 1967 he started the Snohomish Judo Program, establishing one of the first high school judo letter sports programs in the country. Many of his judo students went on to become national and international competitors, and instructors. He continued coaching the Snohomish Judo Program until 1993 and remained active in the Judo community until his death.

He is survived by three daughters, Pricilla, Cynthia and Sabra; five grandchildren; and many close friends. He was a kind and generous, warm-hearted man who enjoyed life to the fullest and was a joy to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

Memorial services are scheduled from 12 to 2 p.m., for January 17, 2009, at the Solie Funeral Home in Everett, WA.

A college scholarship will be established in his name. Memorial donations may be made to Snohomish Educational Foundation in care of the Raymond Daly Memorial Fund, PO Box 1312, Snohomish, WA 98291.