More detail on this person: Wynantskill -
'Charles' Ray Dunn, Ret. Col. USAF, age 74,
beloved husband, father, brother, and friend died
on Saturday, May 5th, 2012 after a heroic battle
with cancer.
Born in Northumberland, England, he was the son
of the late George and Ellen Lavin Dunn.
In England and Scotland he graduated from
grammar school with honors. He immigrated to the
United States as a young teen and won a
scholarship to Bishop Loughlin Memorial High
School where he also graduated with honors. After
studying engineering at Brooklyn Polytechnic
Institute, he joined the Air Force, became a jet
pilot, helicopter pilot, and graduated from Navy
Test Pilot School. He earned a BA in Electrical
Engineering and MBA from USC. He served two
tours in Vietnam as a rescue pilot with the Jolly
Green Giants maintaining a life-long friendship
with his fellow servicemen. He was a crew member
of the first non-stop flight of a helicopter
across the Atlantic Ocean. He retired a decorated
soldier from the USAF after 28 years. Some notable
aircraft flown: UH-1/TH;T-33;HH-443B/F; HH-53;
C-130B;HC-130;DC-130; CH-3; UH-IN, T-29. He
then worked at Boeing for 15 years as Manager of
Flight Test Operations and Chief Test Pilot for
the V-22. Up until his death, he was a certified
flight instructor and proud member of Condair
Flying Club, Quiet Birdmen, and The Society of
Experimental Test Pilots.
Distinguished awards include: 2 Silver Stars; 2
Legions of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross;
Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal.
Survivors include: wife, Ellen Kruczlnicki Dunn of
Wynantskill; daughter, Lynley Schroering of
Louisville, Ky; daughter, Megan Cox of Bradenton,
FL; Michael Patrick Dunn of Philadelphia and five
grandchildren: Carley, Emily, Madelyn, Jeremiah,
and Afton. He is also survived by two brothers:
George and Kevin Dunn.
Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce
Funeral Home, Inc. 276 Pawling Avenue Troy on
Tuesday from 4-7 PM.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday at 11 AM at
St. Jude the Apostle Church Wynantskill where a
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by
Rev. Anthony Ligato, Pastor.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in
memory of Charles Ray Dunn to the Lymphoma
Research Foundation National Headquarters 115
Broadway, Suite 1301 New York, NY 10006.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/11/2023
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