Raymond Charles Church

BUFFALO — Raymond Charles Church, 78, passed away on Saturday (Aug. 22, 2026) at Buffalo General Hospital after a battle with illness.

Born Dec. 2, 1947, to Frank and Edith (Glow) Church of East Otto, Raymond graduated from Cattaraugus Central School in 1966.

On July 10, 1971, Raymond married his wife of 55 years, Phyllis (Peters) Church.

Raymond was a member of the East Otto Fire Department and Otto Immanuel Lutheran Church. He was a wrestling coach at the school, and he enjoyed Friday Night Bowling league. He worked many years at the Springville Labs Division of Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Raymond loved helping the family business of making maple syrup, farming, hunting, fishing, riding his four-wheeler, playing cards and his time in the Adirondacks. Raymond was a devoted family man and friend with a contagious disposition.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; sons Sean (Kara) Church and Brian (Hali) Church; sister Bonita Davis; brothers Mark (Annette) Church and Harold (Laurdean) Church; sister-in-law Vicky Edgar; and grandchildren Haley (Adam), Wyatt, Jackie, Dannie, Samuel and Hannah, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister Anita; brother Wayne; nephew Jordan (Stacy Whitcomb); as well as aunts, uncles and cousins.