Raymond Vecchio is Fraser's complete opposite in practically every way- the only thing they have in common at all is that their fathers are both dead- and that they sometimes talk to their ghosts. Ray's father, however, offers useless criticism instead of advice. He seems never satisfied with Ray, disliking everything about him including his job. For his father's undeserved criticism, Ray in turn critisizes his father. He does not feel sorry that he's dead, and he wishes his ghost were gone too. He makes this quite clear to the senior Vecchio, but it has no effect.
The unwanted Vecchio, Sr. thinks his son should be more like him, and he has all the time in the world to try and convince him of this.
It is no use, though. Ray tries his very best NOT to be like his dad. In fact, that's one of the main reasons he became a cop- his father hated them.
With the loud-mouthed, sarcastic, and often argumentative personality he developed from fighting for space and attention in his large Italian family, Ray doesn't fit in well at the precinct. He can be very charming when he wants to, but he doesn't want to often enough. Instead, his usual manner seems to irritate everybody, including his superiors. For all of his sarcasm and wise-cracks, Ray is a good cop, and though he tries to deny it, a good person too.
Fraser appears to see this in him, and Ray, starved for friendship, finds himself spending more and more time with the Mountie. Though Fraser often annoys him, Ray still cares about him strongly, and Fraser cares about him too, which is something he needs. Fraser's friendship, rather then any belief in doing right, is usually what drags Ray into going along with Fraser's bizarre way of solving cases. He wouldn't do it himself, but if Fraser does it, Ray is forced to go along to back him up.
Fraser doesn't seem to realize this. He thinks Ray is doing it for the same reasons he is... Or at least, he pretensds to think so. This annoys Ray even more. The main thing Ray and Fraser differ on is attitude- Fraser is polite and always does things by the book, but Ray believes in neither. Ray has had a rough life, and he believes in doing things roughly- no courtesy for criminals. He also appears to be willing to give bribes and rough up suspects, and he continually shows disregard for such things as turn signals.
Nevertheless, he does know where there is a line- no matter how bad the criminal, Ray would never plant evidence to frame him.
Ray was married once, but he is now divorced. Though it is clear that Ray still feels for his ex-wife, Angie, their marriage is over. They divorced for reasons that have never been clearly explained, but one of the reasons may have had something to do with Ray's purchase of a car- a very special car.
Ray's dream car is a green 1971 Buick Riviera, and in his time working with Fraser, he's lost two of them. Somehow, though, he always manages to find an identical replacement.
Two years after he met Fraser, Ray is forced to go on a dangerous undercover assignment with the Mob, leaving behind his beloved Riv, his job, and of course, his best friend and partner. He is not seen again until the series finale.
Ray Vecchio is played by American actor David Marciano.
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