DRAKE, Raymond - July 18, 1914 - June 24, 2005 Raymond Drake was a much-loved musician and piano teacher whose dapper presence and endearing spirit touched all who heard him perform throughout the San Francisco Bay Area for over 50 years. Born Raymond Osegueda in Oakland in 1914, he attended the local schools of Dewey, Fremont and Castlemont. He earned the honor of Eagle Scout at age 16. His musical career began in 1930 while performing and traveling on the Dollar, President, and Matson steamship lines which took him around the world to such exotic ports as Havana, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Fiji, Tahiti and Australia. Along the way he entertained celebrities on board including little Shirley Temple and Charlie Chaplin. In 1941-42 he met and married fellow musician Jean Truett in Elko, Nevada, and took the stage name of "Drake." The Ray Drake Trio, comprised of Ray on piano, Jean on vibraharp, and a bassist, performed in fine hotels throughout the Midwest before settling in 1947 to raise their family in East Oakland. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jean; brothers, Eugene Osegueda of Napa, and Robert Osegueda of New Jersey; daughters, Cynthia Sagen of Monterey, and Pamela Drake of Oakland; grandsons, Morgen Sagen, Matthew Sagen and Yung San Anderson; and two great-grandchildren. For 40 years Raymond taught piano and organ alongside Jean in their East Oakland studios before moving to Alameda where they continued to teach. He was awarded a special recognition of "Music Mastery" by Blue Cross of California for 25 years of performing with Jean at Blue Cross events. Many summer vacations were spent with Jean either performing together on the Delta Line cruises out of San Francisco around South America or world-traveling on their own. Raymond also enjoyed golfing and trout fishing. He was a member of the Alameda Elk's club, a resident at the Water's Edge Lodge in Alameda, worshipped at Saint Joseph's Basilica in Alameda, was a gold card member (50 years) of the Musician's Local Union #6, and was an affiliated teacher with the Sherwood Music School of Chicago. His musical legacy and unique style will be fondly remembered and missed. Viewing from 4-7 pm, and Memorial Service at 7 pm Friday, July 1st at Albert Brown Mortuary, 3476 Piedmont Ave, Oakland (510) 652-1873. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday July 2, 1pm at Saint Joseph's Basilica, 1109 Chestnut St, Alameda, followed by the Burial Service at Saint Mary's Cemetery, 4529 Howe Street, Oakland.
Published in San Francisco Chronicle on June 29, 2005