Robert “Raz” L. Freeman, 41, of McGraw, NY, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at Cortland Regional Medical Center, Cortland, NY, after becoming ill at home.

Born in Cortland, NY, on March 12, 1975, Raz was the son of Leon “Bubby” and Carol Widger Freeman.  A lifelong resident of the area, he was a 1993 graduate of McGraw Central School and a graduate of IT&T Technologies in Liverpool, NY.  He was extremely proud to serve as a dispatcher for the Cortland County 911 Center and, prior to that, as a dispatcher for TLC.  He had also worked as a technician for RTE Electronics Shop.  He was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and the McGraw Sportsman’s Club.  He had also served as Mayor for the Village of McGraw.  A warm-hearted, people-person, Raz had a passion for NASCAR, especially the race at Watkins Glen.  He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends.

He is survived by his parents, Leon “Bubby” and Carol Widger Freeman, of McGraw; and his paternal grandmother, Bessie Freeman, of McGraw.  Several aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, including Carrie Knight, Krissy Maricle, and Stacey Harris; and his best friend and basset hound, Ace.

Funeral services will be held at the Barth Funeral Home, McGraw, NY, on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., with Reverend Archie Smith officiating.  Burial will be in Taylor Rural Cemetery at a later date.  The family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Expressions of sympathy in memory of Raz may be directed to the McGraw Fire Department, 7 W. Center St., McGraw, NY 13101 or McGraw Sportsman’s Club, 3154 Ridge Rd., McGraw, NY 13101.