Fred Raymon
Born March 11, 1941 — Died August 28, 2025
“Gold Medal Journey”
Fred (dad) loved sports, passionately. He played a number of sports growing up, excelling in High School. He attended St. Mary’s Academy in Ogdensburg, N.Y. He played basketball, football, baseball. Won numerous awards throughout his H.S. sports career. He also was just named as the first to be in St. Mary’s sports hall of fame.
When Fred graduated from High School, he won a scholarship to Holy Cross College for football. He suffered a knee injury the summer after his freshman year and had to give up his scholarship. He moved on to another college, Potsdam State, in upper N.Y.S., 10 miles from home. Fred was asked by a friend there if he’d be interested in trying out for the men’s college soccer team. Never playing soccer before, he made the team as their goalie. A quote I’ll never forget him telling me was “the first time I ever played soccer was my first game!” A natural.
From that point forward, Fred won the 1st All-American award at Potsdam State. Also, during his time at Potsdam, being so close to three colleges with hockey teams, Fred attended numerous (and I mean numerous) college hockey games. So much so, he couldn’t ever resist watching a hockey game, no matter where it was. He went.
Several years after he graduated from Potsdam College, Fred soon became even more interested in the Olympics. He soon started attending the Olympics, as a spectator. He was a member of TAFNOT (Track and Field News Olympic Tours).
Not only was attending the Olympics a passion, so was collecting Olympic memorabilia. Fred soon started collecting anything he could get his hands on. His collection included Olympic pins, torches & participation medals. He also had an extensive collection of pictures he personally took himself. Many, many autographs as well.
Fred attended, well let’s just say MANY Olympic games. Mostly summer games, with a ’few’ winter ones as well. All over the world. All on a teacher’s salary!
He bought numerous participation medals, coins, and collectors’ items. Fred sought the best, no matter what it was. Olympic torches were his ultimate passion to own. Every time he’d get one, just holding it for the first time, it was like a dream come true for him! His eyes would light up with complete joy. Not only was he holding a symbol of peace and world unity, but it was a piece of history. From Montreal (’76) to most recently Paris (’24), Fred owned almost all the torches, and a good share of Olympic medals and coins.
His personal quest for wanting all these and all the trips—he had a chance to go and participate in the Olympics when he was in high school. But, because of financial hardships back then in his family, he had to give that trip up. He was bound and determined, though, to participate any way possible, just to keep his personal dream alive. He planned his trips well, had many friends he’d met not only with TAFNOT, but friends he’d made as a spectator. He literally lived the life of a passionate participant.
Dad’s journey for gold came to an end this past Aug (’25). But his dream lives on.
My sister and I buried our dad with an Olympic flag. And rightfully so. In our eyes, dad had gotten his gold medal long ago.
Good luck, Dad. Go for it!
— Jeff Raymon & Julie Dennis
