Mr. Howard Raymond Hallett Jr.

HOWARD RAYMOND HALLETT, JR (March 14, 1933 - January 7, 2021) Howard Raymond Hallett, Jr. (known to most of his family and friends as Ray), of Phoenixville, PA, died on January 7, 2021. Born in Midland, PA, he was the son of Howard Raymond Hallett and Nora Keck. Mr. Hallett graduated from Penn State University in 1955 with a BS in aeronautical engineering and as an Ensign in the Navy as part of his Naval ROTC scholarship. He then went on to serve in the U.S. Navy as an aircraft carrier pilot, eventually having over 150 landings on carriers including the Saratoga and the Intrepid. After time in Florida for Naval duty and Binghamton, NY, for his first engineering position, Ray settled his family into Phoenixville in 1960. He continued his Navy time in the Reserves in Willow Grove, PA, eventually retiring from the Navy with the rank of Captain. His engineering work took him to GE Aerospace division where he worked for 30 years until his retirement in 1991, and he was often credited with finding answers and solutions to difficult problems that others could not. In the late 60s, when Ray’s family grew to six, he used his flying prowess to explore the area and locate a spot to build his dream house on Tinker Hill Road, where he and his loving wife Nancy lived for over 50 years. As more families came and built houses on the “Hill”, he and Nancy made lifelong friends who helped create amazing traditions like Tinkerthon, a two-day block party that occurred each summer at the house for 37 years. Ray instilled in his children a strong work ethic and love for family, nature, animals, and good friends. He also fostered a love of home improvement in his children by doing much of the repairs and improvements at his beloved home with them. Ray enjoyed restoring and driving antique cars, a hobby he shared with his children. Ray continued to fly recreationally in his Cessna Light aircraft for many years after his naval aviator career ended. Ray is predeceased by his brother, Louis Anthony Hallett. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Nancy Smith Hallett, and his four children, David Louis Hallett and his partner Patricia, Elaine Burgess Hallett, Michael Arthur Hallett and his wife Marsha, Amy Hallett Lareau and her husband Brad, as well as his daughter-in-law, Claudia Hallett. He was a caring grandfather to 7 grandchildren: Shane and Philip Hallett, Emily Stokes and Taylor Hallett, and Dillon, Jack, and Sara Lareau. The family is looking forward to a celebration of life for Ray as soon as feasibly possible. Contributions in Ray’s name can be made to The American Cancer Society or The Wounded Warrior Project.