Mass. philanthropist Raymond Tye, who paid for conjoined twins’ separation, dies at age 87

Mass. patron who paid for conjoined twins’ op dies

BOSTON — A Massachusetts philanthropist who gave away millions of dollars to meet medical expenses for needy people and paid for the separation surgery of conjoined twins has died. A. Raymond Tye was 87.

Daughter Carol Rose says the former chairman of a beverage distribution firm died Wednesday at his home in Cambridge after battling cancer.

Tye used money from his personal accounts and his foundation to pay for a 34-hour surgery that separated conjoined Egyptian twins in 2003.

The Ray Tye Medical Aid Foundation says it’s dedicated to funding in-hospital lifesaving treatments.

Sen. John Kerry mourns Tye’s death. He describes Tye as a guardian angel who avoided the acclaim he deserved.

Tye is survived by a wife and four children.

His funeral is scheduled for Monday in suburban Boston’s Chestnut Hill. He’ll be buried in Haverhill (HAY’-vruhl).