Raymond "Rick" Nesbitt

Raymond C. “Rick” Nesbitt, 75, of Wakefield, passed away Wednesday, August 3, 2022, due to the complications of multiple strokes. He was the loving husband of Connie (Shove) Nesbitt for 52 years. Born in Utica, New York, he was the son of Francis Nesbitt and Edith (Brown) Nesbitt. One of seventeen children, Rick had many stories to share of the hardships his family endured that shaped him into the man he became. As a young married man, Rick’s life was forever changed when a Baptist pastor knocked on the door of his home one evening and invited him to church. Pastor Tom Asbury shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with Rick and Rick trusted Christ as his personal Saviour. Rick joined the church, and he was able to lead many extended family members and friends to not only come to church, but to also trust Christ as their own personal Saviour. Because Rick asked Jesus to forgive his sins and give him a home in Heaven, his family and friends have the blessed assurance they will be reunited with Rick in Heaven one day. Rick felt the call of God on his life to preach the Gospel. He moved his family to Schererville, Indiana, so he could prepare for the ministry at Hyles-Anderson College. This was a special time in Rick’s life, and he made many lifelong friends. Rick had several jobs in his life, but the occupation that brought him the most joy and fulfillment was the 15 years he spent pastoring Victory Baptist Church in Winthrop, Maine. He moved his family to Maine after his college graduation in 1987 and pastored there until 2002. Rick spent his remaining years near family in the beautiful state of Rhode Island. Rick will be remembered for the many lives he helped and touched throughout his lifetime. He will also be fondly remembered for his love of the USA Today newspaper, Canada Dry Ginger Ale, and The Andy Griffith Show. His grandchildren will miss the countless dozens of doughnuts Grandpa would buy when they visited him and the legendary amounts of ice cream he helped them to consume. Besides his wife, Raymond is survived by his children, Jennifer Walter, Robert (Angela) Nesbitt, and Sarah (Paul) Chapman. He also leaves behind thirteen grandchildren: Ricky (Kayleigh) Walter, Ryan Walter, Rachel (Jacob) Berry, Jack Walter, Jonathan Walter, Joshua Walter, Caleb Nesbitt, Mark Nesbitt, John Nesbitt, Rebecca Nesbitt, Paul Chapman IV, Stacey Chapman, and Katelynn Chapman. Rick also has three great-grandchildren: Ricky, Judah, and Sarah. Raymond is predeceased by his son, Raymond A. “Ricky” Nesbitt and his son-in-law, Richard P. “Rick” Walter. Visiting hours for Raymond will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2022, from 12 pm to 1 pm at Curtis Corner Baptist Church, 591 Curtis Corner Rd, South Kingstown, followed by a funeral service at 1 pm. Burial will be in the Palmyra Cemetery in Palmyra, New York, on August 9 at 10 am. Flowers are welcome. Contributions may also be made to Save New England Ministry at savenewengland.org