Raymond "Ray" Aloysius Harding, Sr., 86, of Leonardtown, MD formerly from Mechanicsville, MD passed away on July 11, 2014 in Hospice House Callaway, MD. Born on December 14, 1927, in Helen, MD he was the loving son of the late Samuel William Harding and Sarah Jane (Tippett) Harding. He was a lifelong resident of St. Mary's County, MD.

Ray was the loving husband of the late Agnes Teresa Wathen Harding whom he married in St. Joseph's Catholic Church Morganza, MD on December 26, 1951.

Ray is survived by his children: Agnes Patricia Van Ryswick (Peter) of Leonardtown, MD, Raymond Aloysius Harding, Jr. (Diane) of California, MD, Linda Ann Knott (Bruce) of Clements, MD, William Samuel Harding (Debbie) of Mechanicsville, MD, 18 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.

Ray is preceded in death by his children: Mary Ellen Knott, Thomas Edward Harding, and Richard Allen Harding, siblings: Mary Delia Tayman, John Edward Harding, Thomas Leo Harding, Joseph Samuel Harding, and Mary Elizabeth Harding.

Ray was a lifelong farmer and he worked as a foreman of a power line tree trimming crew for Penn Line Company which contracted with SMECO in Southern MD for over 30 years, retiring from Penn Line in November 1990. Ray enjoyed: hunting, fishing, crabbing, gardening, bird watching, reading book, taking vacations and trips after his retirement with family. He loved visits and trips to see his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at 10:00 AM Our Lady's Catholic Church Leonardtown, MD with Father John Nguyen officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers will be: Michael Peter Van Ryswick, Stephen Matthew Van Ryswick, John Joseph Pirchio, Jr., David Allen Harding, Benjamin Tyler Harding, and William Samuel Harding, Jr. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Richard Allen Harding, Jr., Daniel Edward Harding, Bruce Edward Knott, Jr., Larry Copsey, and Stephin Brian Cross.

Contributions may be made to the Leonardtown Vol. Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD, and or Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD.