November 4, 2026
NYSDOT Rail Director Ray Hessinger has Passed Away
Rest in Peace | 1967-2026
ABOVE: Ray Hessinger, Director of the Freight and Passenger Rail Bureau at New York State DOT discussing the updating of the Empire Corridor’s Service Development Plan as part of the federal Corridor Identification and Development Program, at the Improving Passenger Rail in The Empire Corridor' symposium held last year in Syracuse, on Wednesday November 19th 2025.
Raymond “Ray” F. Hessinger, 59, of Colonie, beloved husband for 28 years to Rebecca “Becky” L. Clemente Hessinger, entered into eternal life surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, October 22, 2026. Born in Rochester, NY in 1967, Ray is the son of Charles “Chuck” and Joanne Cargill Hessinger. He was a graduate of Bogota High School in Bogota, NJ, and then graduated from RPI having earned his BS in Civil Engineering and license as a Professional Engineer.
In addition to his beloved wife Becky and parents Joanne and Charles, Ray was the proud father of three cherished daughters; Ruth A. Hessinger, Celeste L. Hessinger, and Mary L. Hessinger, and loving brother to Jill L. (Tim) Quigley. Ray is also survived by Becky’s siblings and their spouses, many nieces and nephews and their families. He was also a communicant of St. Ambrose Church in Latham and always made an effort to attend weekly service.
Ray was a consummate professional and his engineering stewardship of New York State's Freight and Passenger Bureau was excellent. Ray was a passionate rail supporter throughout his life, as detailed in the link above. He spoke at several of ESPA's Annual Meetings and he was supportive of the organization's goals. He worked for NYS DOT for 37 years, and his current title was Director of Freight and Passenger Bureau. As part of his work for NYSDOT, he was a supporter of Railroads of New York (RONY) and a member of the States for Passenger Rail Coalition (SPRC) to promote the expansion of Intercity Passenger Rail.
He was an avid model train and railroad enthusiast having built his own replica of his hometown, Bogota, during the 1960s. It is modeled after the historical New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway Main Line. Additionally, he was a member of the RPI Model Railroad Club which is internationally renowned for its model railroad layout of Troy, New York, to the Canadian Border.
Those desiring, may make online memorial contributions to the Nancy B. Clemente Cancer Fund (or by mail to the Nancy B. Clemente Cancer Fund, 369 Brunswick Rd., Troy, NY 12180) and to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance online at Donate now | Colorectal Cancer Alliance
Obituary of Raymond F. Hessinger, P.E.
VIDEO
Ray Hessinger Featured in 'Phased Implementation of the Service Development Plan' Video
(4:00 into video)
NYSDOT Presentation by Janet Ho and Ray Hessinger at the 2024 ESPA Annual Meeting
Ray Hessinger of NYSDOT Explaining the ALT 90B Service Development Plan in 2024
