Raymond Paul SHOVIAK

Raymond SHOVIAK Obituary

SHOVIAK Raymond Paul Raymond Paul Shoviak, 91, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2009, at St. Luke's Hospital. He was born on August 4, 1918 in Toledo, Ohio, the youngest son of Paul Szczechowiak and Mary Ann Bykowski. Raymond graduated from Vocational High School and worked for Toledo Community Traction and Tarta, first as a trolley driver, an electric street car driver and later as a bus driver, retiring in 1985 after 46 years of service. He married Rita Buell on November 8, 1941; Rita preceded him in death in June of 2001. Ray served in WWII in the 62nd Navy Construction Battalion or "Seabee's" from November 1942 to November 1945 in the South Pacific. This service included landing on Iwo Jima on February 19th, 1945 and leaving in October of 1945. Ray enjoyed stamp collecting, growing roses, bowling at Imperial Lanes in the "Latest Addition" league, loved Tiger baseball, football and attending car shows with his son, Tony Shoviak. Ray was a member of the Lake Erie British Car Club (where he was the 2009 "Goodfellow Award" recipient) sharing his son's interest in MG's and enjoying the camaraderie of the club members who were like a second family to him. A recent highlight of his life was being able to take part in the September 16th Honor Flight trip to Washington DC along with his son, Tony. Ray was an active member of St. Pius X parish. Ray is survived by his two children, Mary Lou (Bud) Hart and Tony (Janet) Shoviak; three granddaughters, Tami (Steve) Gilmore, Lian Shoviak, and Maya Grace Shoviak; five great-grandchildren, Aaron Lindhorst, Ariel Gilmore, Autumn Gilmore, Deacon Gilmore and Dylan Gilmore. All were special to him and dearly loved. Special thanks to the staff at Heartland of Waterville, Mercy St. Vincent Hospital, Respiratory Specialists Inc., St. Luke's Hospital, and St. Luke's Pulmonary Rehab for all their care and concern. A million thanks to the Lake Erie British Car Club members and many friends who showered Ray with cards, visits and phone calls during his illness. Visitation will be held at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd. in Toledo on Sunday, December 20th from 6-8 p.m. and on Monday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Scripture Service will be held on Monday at 7:00 p.m. The funeral will begin at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, December 22, 2009 with a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at St. Pius X Church at 10:00 a.m. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. Donations in Ray's memory can be made to the St. Pius X building fund or to Honor Flight of NW Ohio. Please view and sign the online Guest Registry at CoyleFuneralHome.com

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Published by The Blade from Dec. 19 to Dec. 20, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Raymond SHOVIAK

14 Entries

Karren Haynes

December 23, 2009

Dear Tony,

I wanted to express my deepest sympathy to you and your family during this time. I remember your father as always being an active person in your classroom. He always had a smile and a kind welcome for everyone in the building. May God bless and keep you during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Karren Haynes
and family

December 23, 2009

Tony, I was sorry to hear from my mother about your Dad's recent passing. It sounds as though you all were very busy and also had a wonderful trip to Washington, DC. Your Mom and Dad were super people; my best to you and Mary Lou during this difficult time.

Phil Sido

Deb Scheub

December 22, 2009

Dear Tony,

While we never "officially" met, we were on the
9/16 Honor Flight together(the same bus and plane too). I also found out we share a mutual acquaintance Merry Pomeroy.
I thought it was so great that you went as your Dad's Guardian. I know the day was one I will cherish forever. I'm sure you feel the same way. I hope to go again this next flying season. I have a vivid memory of you and your Dad coming down the isle of the plane, bantering with each other, it made me smile. I am so glad your Dad was able to make the trip to see his monument. We need to get all that want to go, out to see it, it is the least we can do for them.
In closing I wanted to extend my families sympathies to you and your familiy.....your Dad was a good man....I could see that just by watching him on the trip.

Herneika Johnson

December 21, 2009

To Mr. Shoviak,

I am sorry to hear of your loss. You dad was a wonderful man. I enjoyed listening to him tell stories of him and my grandfather and seeing his great smile. May God bring you comfort in your time of need.

Love, Herneika Johnson

Bill and Gloria Cook

December 21, 2009

Anthony and Janet,
Your dad was a nice guy and a lot of fun to be around. He will be missed. Our thoughts are with you.

Jerry Austin

December 21, 2009

The Shoviak Family,
Ray was an inspiration to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was one of the first operators that I met at TARTA when I hired on (1979) God Bless your family and Ray will be remembered for what he stood for as a man.

Jerry Austin, Superintendent
Transportation, TARTA

December 21, 2009

Tony, Roger snd I are so sorry to read of Ray's passing. We want to let you know how much we enjoyed the obituary that was in the Toledo Blade. Ray being Ray I see he was active right till the end. Both he and your mom were wonderful people. I miss them.

Liz and Roger Hungerford
Austin, TX

December 21, 2009

Dear Shoviak family~

We were so sorry to learn of your loss. Ray brought sunshine wherever he went. May his light continue to bring brightness~

Luanne and Bob Billstein and family

Dave & Diane Cook

December 21, 2009

Dear Tony & family,

Your Dad was a great guy -- he always had a story to tell. We both thought what a great picture of your Dad -- that's exactly how we remember him. Our thoughts and prays are with you.
Take care,

December 20, 2009

TO THE SHOVIAK FAMILY,

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THE
ENTIRE FAMILY.
JEFF KNEW PAUL FROM BEING A TARTA
BUS DRIVER. JEFF IS RETIRING ON
JAN. 9TH AFTER 30 YEARS.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH STRENGHT DURING
THE HOLIDAYS.

JEFF & JO ANN WHEELER

December 20, 2009

To my other Dad. I spent so much time as a grade school and high school girl growing up with Mary Lou and Tony. You were like a second Dad to me. I know Mary Lou and Tony and their families will miss him dearly. I will too. May God bless you all and Dad Ray too.

Betsy Wurtz Waterville OH

Lew Kott

December 19, 2009

Tony,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I am thinking of you at this time of sorrow. Your Dad was quite a man, just like his son. He will be missed.
Love

Chuck Northrop

December 19, 2009

I worked with Ray at Tarta from 1981 until his retirement in 1985. A tremendously likeable person. One heck of a big smile - always.
Please accept my deepest sympathies

Elaine Kyle

December 19, 2009

May fond memories help to bring you comfort at this time of sorrow.
Ray will be remembered at Pickett School for his delicious holiday treats enjoyed by kindergartners.

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