Joseph Francis Raley, 84, of Ridge, MD died October 24, 2009 at his residence.

Born December 2, 1924 in Dameron, Maryland, he was the son of the late Nettie and Calvert Raley. Married at 24 to Patricia Ann Hilton at St. Michael's Church.

Francis was a life-long resident of St. Mary's County. He loved to get together with family and to spoil his 7 grandkids and 4 great grandkids with love. He began working as a child at his family's farm. He then worked for a time at the new Patuxent Naval Air Station. After World War II ended he and his brother Ross went to work at the family grocery store, Raley's Town & Country Market and continued there until it was sold January 1, 2005.

He is survived by his wife of 60 yrs, Patricia Ann Hilton Raley, his brother Ross Raley of Ridge, Maryland and his sister Audrey Norton of Ridge, Maryland. He is also survived by three sons: Daniel H. Raley and his wife Ann of Great Mills, MD, Robert Keith Raley and his wife Brenda of Ridge, Maryland and Bruce Raymond Raley and his wife Lori of Ridge, MD and his nephew Raymond Raley and his wife Mary of Ridge, Maryland.

He leaves 7 grandchildren, Kathryn Raley Longmore, Scott J. Raley, Kristee Raley Ham, Kellee L. Raley, Joseph W. Raley, Megan L. Raley and Karen A. Raley, 4 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews, great- nieces and nephews and countless friends.

He is preceded in death by 3 siblings: Marguerite Stone, Dorothy Mae Raley and Robert Raley.

The family wants to give great thanks to the Ridge Fire and Rescue community for their help during his illness especially the last month.

Relatives and friends are invited to Mr. Raley's Life Celebration at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 16555 Three Notch Road, Ridge, MD on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 from 5 to 8 p.m. with prayers recited at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will offered on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Ridge, MD. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Scott Raley, Joe Raley, Ray Raley, Jason Raley, Christopher Longmore and Jason Ham. Honorary Pallbearers will be Brian Hollingsworth, Donald Stone, Leon Cullison, Tom Haney, Lindy McKay, Randy Wimberly, James Eugene Spears and Joe Carroll.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to the Ridge Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 520, Ridge, MD 20680 or Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 456, Ridge, MD 20680.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.