Raymond Gaziano

RAYMOND PETER GAZIANO, 78 ROCKFORD - Raymond Peter Gaziano, 78, of Rockford died at 6:52 a.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at Rockford Memorial Hospital, after an extended illness due to cardiac complications and diabetes. Born Jan. 4, 1933, in Rockford; the son of Joseph and Carmella Gaziano. Attended St. Anthony of Padua grade school, Washington Jr. high school and West High school, Class of 1950; University of Illinois-Urbana, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Rock Valley and Rockford College. Married Mary Louise DeCastris on April 25, 1959, in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Rockford. Loving and proud father of Joseph Frank "J.F." (Nancy Sciame) of Rockford and Tresa Anne (Kenneth Box) Gaziano-Box of Virginia Beach, Va., and "Poppi" to beloved grandson, Zachary Ray Gaziano of Chicago. A faith-filled, lifelong member of St. Anthony of Padua Church, Ray actively served in the lay ministry as a Mass Lector and Minister of the Holy Eucharist. He was also a member of the Senior Holy Name Society and formerly the adult choir. Active in his early years in city politics working with The Young Democrats, former Fifth Ward Alderman; Metropolitan Life Insurance agent, and ultimately retiring as purchasing director for the City of Rockford in 1996. Active in National and Illinois Governmental Purchasing Associations (NIGP), and St. Ambrogio Society Club. He enjoyed playing in the Men's as well as the Mixed Bocci Leagues at the club. Ray was very proud of his more than 30 year association with the July 4th Committee. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force as a navigation officer in the Korean War. A proud American, he felt fortunate for the opportunity and for his ability to volunteer his services for this annual endeavor. Ray's non-assuming and "what you see is what you get" personality, led to his making friends of most everyone he met, accepting them at face value, unconditionally. This was also evident with his life's priority, which was his family. In his eyes they could do no wrong. Ray's hobbies included puttering for hours in his yard and enhancing his postage stamp property. An avid puzzle solver, primarily crossword and cryptoquip, often times fielding calls of friends and family alike asking for hints. A crossword puzzle book was stashed in every room of the house and in both of the family cars, handy on those days when he patiently waited while "driving Miss Mary" whenever and wherever she asked. Always accommodating! He also was a collector of sorts, selecting both tools and non-essentials alike at garage and estate sales. In his younger years, his great love was fishing, especially in Canada and hunting with dear friends. Highlights in his life were the weekly contact breakfasts with "his guys" a bevy of former school and neighborhood friends. He relished the "fun" outings for a game of golf at any given opportunity or an occasional trip to a casino for a day of R&R with the guys. For the past 15 years, Ray and Mary Louise enjoyed friends and time in the sun as they wintered down south on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Ray is survived by his loving wife, Mary Louise; son, Joseph Frank "J.F." and daughter-in-law, Nancy Gaziano; daughter, Tresa Anne Gaziano-Box and son-in-law, Lieutenant Commander Kenneth Box USN of Virginia Beach, Va.; grandson, Zachary Ray Gaziano of Chicago; sister, Rose Mary Zammuto; brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Diann Gaziano; brother-in-law, Alfeo Bari; sister-in-law, Susan Gaziano; brother and sister-in-law, Frank (Chico) and Joanne DeCastris; aunts, Amelia Pro, Josephine Giorgi, Italia DeCastris; uncle, Primo and aunt, Rose Tanaglia; and several loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Predeceased by parents; brothers, Rosario, Serafino, Sam, Anthony, Angelo, Franciscan Brother Frank (Chico), O.F.M.; sisters, Angelina Bari, Franciscan Sister Mary Carmella, O.F.M., and Suzanne Ford. For their comforting support and outmost effort, the family wishes to extend heartfelt appreciation to the Franciscan Friars of St. Anthony Church, sister Rose, uncle Primo, brother-in-law, Chico, Dr. Vincent Racanelli, Dr. Richard Hayes and the caring staffs of Rockford Heart & Vascular Center, Rockford Memorial Hospital, DaVita Dialysis Center (Roxbury Road.), The Visiting Nurses Association and physical therapist, Matt Greenwood. Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, with visitation from 9 a.m. to time of service; Franciscan Friars will officiate. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, assisted the family. To express condolences online, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com