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News & Photos
A "Ray" of Sunshine for 42 Years
When his final passenger disembarks in northeast Baltimore County on June 4, cheerful driver Ray Sears will wave goodbye and close the doors of Bus 8 for the last time. He is retiring on June 30 after a remarkable 42 years.
"Time goes fast. Seems like about 10 or 15 [years]," says Ray with a wistful smile.
Ray Sears first took the wheel of Bus 8 in August 1968. He succeeded his father, Ray Sr., who began driving Bus 8 in 1943.
"McDonogh offered me a good position and I took it. My dad said it's the best place in the world to work."
His route took him into Baltimore City and County, much the same as it does today. McDonogh was still a boys semi-military school at the time.
Recalls Ray, "Our buses were all standard transmissions back then. And traffic was not as bad as it is now."
Two things haven't changed, however: Ray's respect for the students he has transported and his abiding concern for their safety. "All have been pretty good over the years."
Jamie Kaiser '02 rode Mr. Ray's Bus 8 for 11 years. "Anytime we passed another bus, from McDonogh or anywhere else, Mr. Ray would always give this characteristic double wave where he waved his hand in a sort of corkscrew motion," recalls Jamie.
"I also remember that certain people who rode the bus were chronically late to the bus stop, and Mr. Ray knew this and he would never just speed past if he didn't see them. He would slow down or even stop."
"Mr. Ray seemed to have eyes in the back of his head," said another Bus 8 alum. Ray accommodated latecomers but would not allow eating or drinking on board. Those who tried it invariably got caught.
Ray had very good reasons for enforcing that rule. "Sometimes I've had field mice on the bus. If you leave a wrapper, they make holes in the seat to get to it."
When food was allowed, Ray supplied it. End of the year pizza parties were an annual event. Ray hosted the last one on June 2.
In addition to delivering students, Ray has been entrusted with "the town run" for the last 40 years. He has picked up and delivered the school's mail and run "town" errands to the bank and elsewhere. "I do whatever needs to be done," he says.
And always with a smile.
Ray has a quick answer for why he has remained at McDonogh for so long."The people. That's what keeps people at McDonogh. It's the little things they do for you that make it great. The people are so nice to everybody."
Ray insists he wants no fanfare or recognition. "I came in quiet and I want to leave quiet. This place has been good to me and my family over the years. I'll never forget it as long as I live."
When his final passenger disembarks in northeast Baltimore County on June 4, cheerful driver Ray Sears will wave goodbye and close the doors of Bus 8 for the last time. He is retiring on June 30 after a remarkable 42 years.
"Time goes fast. Seems like about 10 or 15 [years]," says Ray with a wistful smile.
Ray Sears first took the wheel of Bus 8 in August 1968. He succeeded his father, Ray Sr., who began driving Bus 8 in 1943.
"McDonogh offered me a good position and I took it. My dad said it's the best place in the world to work."
His route took him into Baltimore City and County, much the same as it does today. McDonogh was still a boys semi-military school at the time.
Recalls Ray, "Our buses were all standard transmissions back then. And traffic was not as bad as it is now."
Two things haven't changed, however: Ray's respect for the students he has transported and his abiding concern for their safety. "All have been pretty good over the years."
Jamie Kaiser '02 rode Mr. Ray's Bus 8 for 11 years. "Anytime we passed another bus, from McDonogh or anywhere else, Mr. Ray would always give this characteristic double wave where he waved his hand in a sort of corkscrew motion," recalls Jamie.
"I also remember that certain people who rode the bus were chronically late to the bus stop, and Mr. Ray knew this and he would never just speed past if he didn't see them. He would slow down or even stop."
"Mr. Ray seemed to have eyes in the back of his head," said another Bus 8 alum. Ray accommodated latecomers but would not allow eating or drinking on board. Those who tried it invariably got caught.
Ray had very good reasons for enforcing that rule. "Sometimes I've had field mice on the bus. If you leave a wrapper, they make holes in the seat to get to it."
When food was allowed, Ray supplied it. End of the year pizza parties were an annual event. Ray hosted the last one on June 2.
In addition to delivering students, Ray has been entrusted with "the town run" for the last 40 years. He has picked up and delivered the school's mail and run "town" errands to the bank and elsewhere. "I do whatever needs to be done," he says.
And always with a smile.
Ray has a quick answer for why he has remained at McDonogh for so long."The people. That's what keeps people at McDonogh. It's the little things they do for you that make it great. The people are so nice to everybody."
Ray insists he wants no fanfare or recognition. "I came in quiet and I want to leave quiet. This place has been good to me and my family over the years. I'll never forget it as long as I live."