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RAYMOND S. BALCERAK (Age 65)
Of Springfield, VA, died March 2, 2012 at Mount Vernon Hospital after a short battle with cancer. He was born in Pittsburgh, PA and grew up a huge Pirates fan. He was an alum of Villanova, and George Washington University. Raymond worked at the Night Vision Lab at Fort Belvoir prior to going to work as a Project manager with DARPA. Raymond is survived by his wife, Karen, two sons Brian, his wife Lori, Robert and his wife Ernie, one sister, Mary Jane, and a brother, Steven, his wife, Kimberly, and their son, Neil. Funeral arrangements are with Demaine Funeral home in Springfield, VA. A gathering of family and friends will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday evening March 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. Mass will be at St. Raymond of Penafort Church on Thursday, March 8 at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Alexandria. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to lustgarten.org would be appreciated.
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I was truly shocked when I heard of Ray's passing. I have known him since 1980 when I joined the infrared technology group at Fort Belvoir. I was there through early August of 1984. I last saw Ray about 4 years ago when he was working on a DARPA/Penn State program associated with a company near Pittsburgh, Pa. I was in my office at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) when I heard a knock on my door and in pops Ray and he begins by starting to say "Hi I don't know if..." Before he could finish the sentence, I jumped up from my seat and grabbed his hand and literally hugged him because I was so happy to see him. He was a little taken "a-back" You see, he thought maybe I did not remember him since until then I had not seen him in several years (1988, I think was the last time) but I can tell you that he was not a person whom I could ever forget. He had a rather positive and highly significant impact upon my life because he was a major part of the reason that I was a professor at IUP. When I decided to leave federal government service and get into academics, he was fully supportive and highly encouraging. We had many discussion about the matter over a period of several months and when the opportunity at IUP arose he encouraged me to consider it because he was familiar with the area since his mother lived nearby and felt that I would be very happy here. About that he was absolutely correct. To me Ray was one of the most gentle and caring persons with whom I have ever had the privilege to interact. As he was my immediate supervisor at Night Vision lab I could not have had it any better. I always marveled at how well he did his job and never got flustered or visibly angry at anything or anyone. It was a job that I could never have done. Although, I cannot say that we were intimate friends, I always felt that he was much more than just my boss. I can say for sure that everyone in our group highly respected him as a person and a professional. One of my great regrets is that we only saw each other a few times while he was living in this area.
I pray that your memories of Ray are as happy and comforting as mine. I especially hope that you can find peace of mind in knowing just how well his friends and colleagues thought of Him. I know that he will always have a special place in my heart and memories. May God bless you all.
Larry Freeman
March 29, 2012
I knew just one side of Ray - as a great brother to sister Mary Jane. It was a relationship to be envied by all sisters who struggle to build a grown-up relationship with their brothers. I am so sorry for your loss.
Mary Wiemann
March 28, 2012
A giant in night vision; an honorable, dedicated, and nice man. Condolences to the family.
Frank Pantuso
March 27, 2012
I had only heard of you, but it was always good. You were a great figure among your professional community. Rest in Peace, Ray.
Barbara O'Kane
March 20, 2012
I only knew Ray professionally but he was a true gentleman who worked tirelessly to promote technologies that served our country. When he retired from DARPA, he was sorely missed.
Marshall Cohen
March 15, 2012
We are moved and saddened by Ray's passing. May the love of friends and family bring you strength and consolation.
Rick and Nancy Opalanko
March 14, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow - Ken and Pinky Opalanko and family.
March 8, 2012
May God's strength and comfort be with your family during this time of sadness. I had the privilege of working with Ray many years ago. He was a gentleman and it was always a pleasure to work with him. Please accept my condolences.
Gene McLean
March 8, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with Ray's family at this most difficult time. Ray was such an amazing friend and colleague with a smile always on his face. He will be missed.
Amanda Mumley
March 8, 2012
Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Wolfgang Elser
March 7, 2012
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Juergen Pohlmann
March 7, 2012
I was so sorry to hear that Ray had died. I remember what an adorably cute child he was in all the old family photos. As an older cousin he was never without a friendly smile. He and my brother Rick were young playmates at Babci's. I hope all of your memories will comfort you in the days ahead.
Barbara (Opalanko) Carroll
March 7, 2012
I worked for Ray in the late 1980's at Night Vision Lab. He had a gift for bringing out the best in his workers and making the job fun. His professionalism and humor will be missed. My deepest sympathy to all of his family.
Margaret Cunningham (nee Little)
March 7, 2012
May God continue to comfort all who loved Mr. Balcerak. We can all look forward to the time when death will be no more and instead of tears of sorrow there will be tears of joy. I know he will be missed by many. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.
K. Nichols
March 7, 2012
All of Ray's family and friends are in our prayers. We are so sorry for your loss.
Bill & Faye Kennedy
March 7, 2012
A good friend with a great sense of humor who will be missed
Tony Tether
March 7, 2012
Our hearts and prayers go out to all who loved and will miss Ray. We wish we could have had him in the family for much much longer.
Mike, Mary, Nathan & Jason Cole
March 6, 2012
We are deeply sorry for your loss.
Uncle Joe and family
March 6, 2012
Ray was a friend and a most respected colleague to all who knew him and worked him in support of DARPA. We will miss him greatly and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Michael Bergquist
March 6, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Dan and Kathy Malizio
March 6, 2012
Karen and Family, Ray was highly respected by all who knew him and especially by me. He was a true professional who was dedicated to providing our military services with the latest and best technology for their deployments. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless you.
Frank Bates
March 5, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with Ray's family and friends. Ray was college and a friend, and I am so grateful to have had a chance to work with him.
Whitney Spille
Whitney Spille
March 5, 2012
Please accept our sincere condolences - Alex and Rita Czaplicki and family
March 5, 2012
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