Raymond Lewis D'Amico DDS

Raymond Lewis D'Amico, DDS, a longtime resident of Elmhurst IL, passed on August 5, 2023, at the age of 76 after an acute illness. The first child of Raymond and Josephine (nee Digate) D'Amico was born on September 2, 1946, into a large and loving Italian family in Chicago's near West side. A childhood illness fortunately kept him from school the very day of the Our Lady of the Angels School fire in 1958 where many of his classmates tragically perished. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School and attended Loyola University for undergraduate and dental school and had a highly successful and personally attentive dental practice in Elmwood Park for more than 40 years until his recent retirement. Despite multiple hip and wrist operations that kept him in lifelong pain, he was an active traveler, journeying to Hawaii, many national parks, Europe (last summer to Capri, Italy, and surrounds), and most frequently to Boston, New York, and New Hampshire to be with family. Ray loved cars-particularly his perfectly preserved vintage Olds 442-hanging out with friends near his boat at the Racine Wisconsin marina, fishing, telling (far-fetched) stories, and most of all, being with family and friends. He is survived by his brother Donald, spouse Kimberly Sippel and nephews DJ (partner Julia Halperin), niece Laura Melanson (spouse Sean Melanson, and children Lila Ray (so named in his honor) and Luca), nephew Jack (spouse Katie Allison), and niece Arianna; and brother Andrew, spouse Mary Kiely and niece Josie (partner Mical Kesler) and nephew Matthew. He is also survived by, and remained quite close to, his former sister-in-law Kathleen D'Amico. In addition to these individuals, he remained embedded in the warmth of his large Italian family with more than 50 members at present, where he was usually the earliest arrival at family gatherings. His dedicated office assistants Effie Taormina, Silvana DiVenere, Rosalinda Montano, Maria Traversa, and Rosanna Cervone were at his side for well over 120 years of combined association with his practice and continued to provide loving care for him post retirement. David and Rita Durkin and Kevin and Cathy Collins were beloved lifelong friends, and Sue (Bennett) Kay, a friend and former ICU nurse, magically appeared during his final hospitalization and spent days at his bedside in compassionate and expert attentiveness. The great many who loved Ray will always remember him as a loving, funny, relentlessly positive man who never complained and who cherished every moment he had with us. While we are beyond devastated at his loss, we are thankful that the young boy who barely escaped the OLA fire to live another 65 years-to overcome many challenges, to flourish in every way, and to endlessly brighten our lives-is now at peace. (A celebration service on the evening of Monday September 18 in Oakbrook IL is being planned. For information, please email Don at djd2003@med.cornell.edu)