A few days ago, we learned from his good friend that EBSQ’er Raymond “cosmicray” Windfelder passed away. The details were finally published in the Philadelphia Inquirer today:

Raymond Windfelder, 57, of Penndel, an artist, died Oct. 22 at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia while waiting for a liver transplant.

Mr. Windfelder grew up in Levittown, where his parents owned one of the first homes to be built there. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Levittown. Though he took classes at Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia and won a prize for his work, he considered himself self-taught, said Gretchen Altabef, director of Pebble Hill Church Gallery in Doylestown.

As a youngster he drew knights in armor, superheroes and flying saucers, and he kept the same exuberance as an adult, painting bright, fantasy-filled paintings, Altabef said. He also illustrated children’s books. A talented horticulturist, he worked as a landscaper while pursuing his art.

Mr. Windfelder had solo shows in galleries in Bucks County and in New Jersey.

He is survived by a daughter, Alicia; a brother, Thomas; a sister, Claire Gaunt; and his former wife, Dawn Bottomstone.

A memorial service will be at 7 tonight at Pebble Hill Church, 320 Edison-Furlong Rd., Doylestown. Mr. Windfelder’s paintings will be exhibited from 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Pebble Hill Church Gallery.

We’re sorry you missed seeing the Phillies win the series, Ray! But we know that heaven is a much more colourful place now that you’ve arrived.

We leave you with some of his art:

 
Midsummers Night Universe 2008

Finnigans Multiverse #2 2008

 
String Theory: Childs Play 2008

Cosmic Christ 2008