Ray Workman Trivits of Greenwood went to his eternal home on Jan. 16, 2025. He passed away at Bayhealth Hospital in Milford following a brief illness.
Ray was born on Feb. 28, 1933 in Cannon to Charles and Bertha (Workman) Trivits. He was the youngest of 19 siblings. Ray was born prematurely, weighing barely two pounds. He was not expected to survive. He not only survived, but was the tallest of all the children, and has outlived each of his siblings. He remained in his home, living independently to the very end.
On April 9 in 1955, Ray married his high school sweetheart, Gloria May Johnson. They were long time members of Cannon Methodist Church, and more recently the Union Methodist Church in Bridgeville. Ray worked several jobs. At the age of eight his father suddenly died, leaving him and his mother alone. Ray, already used to hard work, assumed the jobs of his father. He missed so much school that first year tending to their farm that he had to repeat his grade. He worked at HP Cannon off and on during the harvest season, and cutting timber with his father-in-law. His most loved job however, was when he went to work for Southern States. He was employed at the Bridgeville location, when he was sent to attend a seminar. While standing in a line for a meal, Ray encountered the manager of the Milford store. After spending a few hours together, and to Ray’s surprise, he received a call requesting him to move to the Milford store and assume the role of assistant manager. Ray continued that role and assumed the manager position where he remained until his retirement in 1996. At the time, Ray operated the most profitable store in Southern States history, while only having a high school diploma.
Ray and Gloria were seldom apart. His hobbies were her hobbies. They always had a big garden, particularly raising tomatoes and lima beans. After their retirement, they took up building stools. They never sold them. Together they made and gave away more than 600. Ray absolutely loved the New York Yankees and the Green Bay Packers. He loved the ownership and coaching models. You should have short hair, clean shaven, and no celebrations are necessary. You’re getting paid to do the job, not celebrate. The biggest love of Ray’s life was his family. During Gloria’s journey through Alzheimer’s disease, he never missed a day of being with her. He was often referred to as “The Notebook” man. He adored his son and daughter, the grandchildren, and the great-grandchildren. He always wanted to take care of his family. In the last few years, he paid particular attention to diapers – did all the babies have diapers?
Surviving Ray is his daughter, Linda Marie Trivits Abbott (Stewart Abbott); his son, Charles Ray Trivits (Christine Schrock Trivits); three grandsons, Kyle Ray Trivits (Bianca), Kevin Charles Trivits (Anna), Skip Leon Trivits (Jenny); nine great-grandchildren; Daphne, Charles, Connor, Juliet, Wyatt, Henry, Waylon, Brynn and Dakota.
Preceding Ray in death are his parents, Charles and Berta Trivits, his wife of 64 years, Gloria Mae, as well as his 18 older siblings: Edgar E. Trivits (Pearl Gibson); Oscar Trivits (Helen Gertrude Case); Charles Webster Trivits (Alene Toomey); Ralph Trivits (Anna Louise Burton); Mabel Trivits (Carlisle Farrow); Emma Trivits (Howard Alford); Gladys Trivits (William Alda Draper); George Earl Trivits (Eleanor Harris); Catherine Trivits (Elmer Lee Conaway); Leon Farren Trivits (Ethel Short); Robert Trivits (Helen Hopkins); Lewis Trivits (Grace Meluney); Richard Trivits; James Workman Trivits; Alfred H. Trivits (Sarah Marie Callaway); Francis Baker Trivits (Jeanette Mitchell Megee); Nancy Marie Trivits (Kenneth Roxburgh); and Violet Trivits (Joshua Hare)
Services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1 (exactly five years after his wife Gloria). In honor of Ray’s lifelong motto “If you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re late”, Visitation will be from 11:45 to 12:45, followed by a memorial service at 12:45. All services will be at Cranston Funeral Home, 300 North Shipley Street in Seaford.