Raymond William Heusey, who lived most of his life in Fombell, Franklin Township, died Tuesday, two weeks after celebrating his 80th birthday.

Heusey loved payback. Even after months or years, there was no prank, no practical joke, no playful insult that would go unanswered. He just needed to know you wouldn't see it coming.

He sneaked boxes of chickens into houses and doused anyone within range with squirt guns and water balloons. He kept track of everything that meant something to him in his journals — not least so he could use some of it later to beat you.

When he won, he would laugh. When he lost, he'd laugh — and then start plotting.

Born May 9, 1937, to Charles and Dorothy Foden Heusey, he was the middle child of five.

He grew up in Etna, and graduated from Etna High School in 1955, where the girls admired him for his Elvis-like looks.

He was 14 when he met the woman who would become his wife, Joyce A. Fitton. They courted during business classes and while competing in the rifle club. On June 1, 1957, they married.

The town-bred couple decided to live a life in the country. They moved into a summer cottage in Fombell along the Connoquenessing Creek and began renovations that would take more than 50 years to complete.

In the meantime, they filled the house with four children, their friends and friends of their children, becoming the go-to place for picnics, late-night bonfires, swims in the creek and deep conversations about life, often taking place with a beer in hand on the screened-in porch while the spring peepers sang.

In his early years, Heusey (the “H” is silent) followed in his father's footsteps, running his own business removing wallpaper, clearing lots and doing miscellaneous handiwork.

He worked for about a decade as a press operator at Halstead Industries in Zelienople.

Then, on Jan. 1, 1976, at the age of 39, he entered the apprenticeship program of the Iron Workers Local Union No. 3, noteworthy for how unusual it was for a man to join the program at that age. He became a journeyman March 1, 1978, and worked as a steel erector. He died a lifetime member of the union.

Work was necessary. Family and home, however, defined Heusey more than anything else.

He retired early and often cared for his six grandchildren on his own during the day, engaging in those epic water battles, sharing prized pretzel sticks from his pockets and teaching them to play cards.

When his mother-in-law became ill in 1996, she moved in and he became her primary caretaker for three years. He took her fishing and ensured she was comfortable through the end.

Heusey also loved to relentlessly tease his nieces and nephews. To them, he was known affectionately as “Uncle Dum Dum” — a nickname one gave him when she was 3 because he would purposely call her “Katie” instead of “Kathy.” A 12-year-old nephew once misspoke and referred to Crocodile Dundee as “Alligator” Dundee. More than 25 years later, Heusey still called him “Alligator.”

He took gleeful advantage when someone he loved misspoke. But he liked even more to prove other people wrong.

A diligent record keeper, he relied on his detailed journals to talk whomever he could into placing bets regarding certain memories and dates. He loved to bluff, but not everyone in the family shared that skill. He'd never bet against his daughter Beth if she was adamant she was right.

Heusey was preceded in death by his older brother, Charles James.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years; his two daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Edward Brown and Beth and Bill Speicher; and his two sons, Ray and Ken.

He is also survived by seven grandchildren, AmyJo (Jacob) Sanders, Autumn (Greg) Geilman, Staci (Mark) McDonough, Kurt Speicher, Mark (Diane) Speicher, Jessica (Todd) Githens and Maura Heusey; and three great-grandchildren, Elena McDonough, Ellie Githens and Emerson Speicher.

Also surviving are two brothers and one sister, Bob and Rick Heusey and Beverly Speicher; 16 nieces and nephews; and many, many great-nieces and nephews.

HEUSEY — A celebration of life for Raymond William Heusey, who died Tuesday, May 23, 2017, will be held starting at 2 p.m. June 4 at his home. Remembrances at 4 p.m. will be followed by a picnic dinner. All who knew him are invited to attend.Arrangements are being handled by Boylan Funeral Home of Zelienople.Gifts in his memory can be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.Online condolences are at www.boylanfuneralhome.com.