Obituary: Daniel Cushing Raiche, 88

Daniel Cushing Raiche, 88, of Cranston, passed away on Sunday, January 6, 2013 at the Philip Hulitar Hospice Inpatient Center.

Dan, a 1947 graduate of the University of Rhode Island, worked as a mechanical engineer at U.S. Naval bases in Newport and Quonset and also built a consulting business as a partner in Powers & Raiche, Inc. He retired at the age of 82 after working 15 years at Kent County Memorial Hospital. 

Dan was an amateur astronomer and avid outdoorsman. He logged many miles on Mount Washington, reaching the summit for the last time at the age of 72. He also enjoyed cross country skiing as well as sailing in his canoe.  He was a member of the Naval War College Foundation, Knights of Columbus, Skyscrapers, Inc. at Seagrave Observatory, and several professional organizations, including the Providence Engineering Society, NFPA, ASHRAE and ASME.  For several years, he served on the RI Building Code Commission.  He was a longtime parishioner of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Cranston. 

Dan was very proud of his late father, an engineer and inventor with Davol Rubber Company.  He always enjoyed relating the story of how his father had invented the Foley catheter, which was just one of the many patents he was granted.

Dan is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary (Leeman) and four children; Susan Bissell of Coventry; Nancy and husband Ron DiSalvo of Exeter; Maryann Cardin of Coventry; and Paul Raiche and wife Kim (Bengtson) of Raleigh, NC; as well as 10 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. 

Funeral from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston on Thursday  at 9:00 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church, 1493 Cranston St., Cranston. Interment will be in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Cranston. VISITING HOURS Wednesday, 5-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Philip Hulitar Hospice Inpatient Center, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.