Raymond T. Leja

1943 - 2023

Raymond T. Leja
Raymond T. Leja, age 80, of Bridgeport, passed peacefully in St. Vincent's Hospital, Bridgeport, CT, on Sunday, October 15, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones. Born in Bridgeport, CT on April 14, 1943, he was the son of the late Felix and Margaret Leja of Bridgeport CT. Ray graduated Bullard-Haven's Technical High School, Bridgeport, CT, in 1961 and married his high school sweetheart, Jackie, in 1965. Ray and Jackie were married for 51 years before her passing in November of 2016.
Ray was a former employee and retired electrician with the City of Bridgeport, Board of Education. Ray admirably served as an Executive Board Member for 12 years for the I.B.E.W. Union Local 488 and was a 52-year member. He was a volunteer at the IBEW local children's Christmas party and was a volunteer at the local outings. He was a member of the IBEW Local 488 Softball team that won 8 National Championships and an anchor on the IBEW bowling team that won 5 championships and he had the league's high average. Ray was also a member of the Bridgeport Elks and a volunteer for the Barnum Festival.
He was known as "Pee Wee" or "Buck" or "Leja" to many. In his spare time, Ray could be found on his Stonington Skiff, fishing for striped bass. Outside being with his wife, kids and playing sports, it was his favorite thing to do. In an effort to help track and preserve fish, he tagged and released many a fish. He was a Regional Expert with the Saltwater Fisherman and a member of the American Littoral Society. He took many trips to Cape Code and Rhode Island to fish and enjoyed the sunsets and sunrises with his wife. When he wasn't fishing, he could be found enjoying a scotch and a cigar with his friends at the Elks Club, or sitting in his recliner watching a Boston Red Sox or Chicago Bears games. He enjoyed the simple things in life, including dinners with his wife and children and rides to St. Mary's and Seaside Park with Jackie. After her passing, he truly was a fish out of water. They are now reunited together to continue their life story!
Ray leaves behind to cherish his memory, his daughters, Ramona Leja Parker and husband David, of Carey, NC, Claudine Leja and fiancé Tracy Paulson of Bridgeport, CT, Marlene Leja and wife Sandra Cipriano of Waterbury, CT; his grandson, Brendan Parker of Carey, NC; his sister, Joan Savo Monaco of Fairfield, CT; sister-in-law, Eldean Duffy of Litchfield, CT; many nieces and nephews and a boatload of friends! In addition to his parents, Felix and Margaret, Ray was predeceased by his beautiful bride, Jacqueline Jalbert Leja; and his sister, Mary Ann Leja Menillo.
Calling hours for Raymond will be held Sunday, October 22nd, 2-6 p.m. at the Parente Funeral Home (now located) in the Lesko Funeral Home Building, 1209 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. His Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, October 23rd, at 10:30 a.m. directly at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Fairfield. Raymond's interment will be held privately. For travel directions or to sign his online guest register, please visit www.ParenteFuneralHome.com .