Raymond Thomas Jaroscak

To Kit & Family, I am so sorry to hear about Ray's passing. I worked with Ray at Graco for many years. He loved you all very much. Ray was a man with a great heart and great advice. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Wendy

Kit and family,
Prayers are with you on your loss....I was a football player with the N.E. Boosters in the early 70's, a team that only had 12 players. We were tough NE kids but were no match for our coaches, Ray, Steve, and Bill. Ray's favorite lines for us: "You TOUCH it, you CATCH it" usually followed by "TAKE A LAP". Many practice nights found our team on the north side of Bottineau Park, under the lone streetlamp shinning on the field, two lines of players, one ball carrier, one tackler, repeating the drill until he was satisfied that we got it. That year we made it to the 9th grade Minneapolis city championship game. Three years later at Edison, we were city conference Co-champions. Today his coaching tactics might be questioned as being too tough. The 12 of us look back with gratitude and consider him one of the best.

Jaroscak Family,I am so sorry to hear of Ray's passing. I worked with Ray a number of years at Graco and also he poured me a few beverages at the 1029 Bar. He was such a nice guy, will miss that smile. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

To Family.....It was fun coaching with and against him in coon rapids. We enjoyed many fun times and beers together.

I know he will meet Dick Isaacson up stairs and form a division of craa sports. We will miss him
John and Audrey

To all of Ray's family:

I had the good fortune to know Ray for nearly 30 years - and to coach against him for 15 of those years. A special man with a heart of gold. It is impossible to quantify the impact he had on the hundreds (thousands) of kids he coached and the impact he had on his community.

They don't make em like Ray anymore. I will miss him.


John Swanson, Fridley
Director North Suburban Traveling League

I had the privilege to be coached by Ray on the Knights. He was a tough guy, but fair man that demanded things be done right all the time. And he didn't give out many compliments on the football field, but when he gave you a pat on the helmet you know that was his way of saying "that a boy." Thats what we all strived to get, that pay on the helmet. After games and practices in the parking lot he always had a smile on his face from ear to ear and was a very charismatic guy. You just wanted to be around him and hear his stories. I wasn't only a better football player because of Ray, but I was a better young man from what he taught me. I still think about him often and always smile!! And yes, his famous quote with his booming voice from across the football field, " you're killing the grass." You will be missed very much Ray. My thoughts and prayers are with Ang and the entire Jaroscak family.

Paul and family-
My sympathy and thoughts are with you and your family because of your loss.
(fellow Graco employee of Paul)

Paul & family, I am sad to here of Ray's passing. When I started at Graco many-many years ago it was fun to play softball with Ray and get to know him outside of work. Ray will be missed!

Kit & Family- So sorry for you loss. Ray was quite the character. He always had a funny line or quote to shoot at you! I will miss his laugh and humor. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.

Kit and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you deal with your grief. We have lots of memeories of Ray from Graco, softball and get togethers after. There were lots of fun times.

So many great memories of Coach Ray from the CR baseball days. Great times with great teammates with an amazing leader. He was a teacher, a motivator, and made us laugh. Every 8U baseball practice or game, I ask myself what would Big Ray do. I am grateful to have known him and my thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

I am so sorry to hear about Ray. I know I am not the only former player who has great memories of playing football on the Knights. Ray was a great coach, I can still remember him yelling "you're killing the grass" if he thought you weren't moving fast enough on the field. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Jaroscak family.

Paul and family, I am deeply saddened by the loss of Ray. I have so many great memories of Ray from when we were kids at the ol' ballpark. My deepest sympathies and prayers go out to you and your family. Rest in peace Ray!

Uncle Ray, you surly will be missed but not forgotten. My memory of you will always be in my heart.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Ray was a great man and is now going to be a wonderful guardian angel. Please find comfort in knowing that Ray is now home with our loving father where there is no more sadness or pain.

Praying for all of you in this time of loss. Memories are the most precious thing we have.

Kit & Family - you are in my daily thoughts and prayers as you go through this huge loss in your family. I've known Ray since 1978 when I met Kit at Machining, Inc. and she & I have been the best of friends ever since. I cherish memories of sitting out on the porch with Ray & Kit this past summer. Even though he was ill, he was able to smile and joke with us. Love to you all. See you on Saturday.

Paul and Family,

Sorry to hear about the loss of Ray. He will surely be missed but never forgotten. My Prayers are with you all.

RIP Coach

So sorry to hear of your loss. So many good memories in baseball playing for and against Ray's team. He touched many lives and will be missed.
Paul, remember all of the good times to get you through.

Chad Erchul

Jaroscak family,
I am so sorry to hear of your lost. Big Ray was an awesome coach and motivator to a lot of kids back in the days. He will be missed dearly. I'm so lucky to have the privilege of knowing the Jaroscak family since elementary school.

Take care,
Mike Seykora

Paul and Family, Sorry to hear about Ray. I lost my Dad 8 months ago and I know what you are going through. He will always be remembered as the best little league baseball coach in the state. My Prayers are with you and your family.

RIP Coach

Hugh Muehlberg

Paul and Family,

I am so sorry for your loss as your dad was a great person and coach.

So sorry for your loss Kit. You, Ray and I go back a long way. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Roger Young

Jaroscak family,
I feel like I grew up at the Jaroscak house, whether it was hanging out with Paul or being coached by Ray. Ray was tough but fair, and I loved him like a father. Love all you guys.
John L. Sullivan

My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Ray was a special person, a giver. We were lucky to have him our lives. We will miss him very much!
Sincerly, Karen Forslund (Graco)

Paul and family -- Ron and I are so sorry -- Ray was devoted to his family and gave so generously of his time to coach you boys. He will be deeply missed. Love, Ron and Nancy Berg

Joined USMC with Ray 26Jul61 and was in boot camp together. Talked with him at 50th Edison reunion. Now guarding Heaven's Gate...Rest in Peace my brother!

Kit and family,

I am so sorry for your loss. I was lucky to call Ray my friend for several years at Graco and we shared a few adult beverages at the Polish Palace back in the day.

He always called me "Bubbles", which I hated. I would tell him to stop calling me that, but he would just laugh and walk away. I finely gave up and just got used to it. Oh, how I would love to hear "Hi Bubbles, how are you today" again.

My heart and prayers are with you all. God bless our dear friend Ray.

Kit and Family, I worked with Ray many years at Graco. I am sorry to learn of his passing, and I sympathize with your loss.

Dear Jaroscak family,
We both love Ray dearly, and will miss him so much. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during these difficult times. I know he is patiently waiting for us all with that beautiful (and infamous) grin. Much love,
Lainie Berntsen and Brad Edstrom

Kit and family, We send our most sincere sympathy in the passing of Ray. May God be with you and yours during this time. Harold and Karen Manke

Kit and family, so sorry to hear about Ray. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

We were sorry to hear about Ray,s passing.
Are prayers are with you in this difficult time. I worked with Ray at Graco and when I started to coach little league football he was a great help. Thanks for the memories.

Glad that I called Ray to get him to our 50 year high school reunion to see him one last time. Ray was a friend from junior high through high school and years after. Sorry for your loss.
semper fi

Uncle Ray, no more pain or sadness on earth only happy times in heaven. Auntie Kit and family, sending all of my love and prayers your way.
Love,
Linda, Amanda, Tyler, and Shyanne
(Toughill) Crawford

Kit and Family, My deepest sympathy during this difficult time. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Ray's family. I will always remember sence of humor, when at a house party at our place we asked for suggestions for a name for our new baby boy, to which Ray said " how about OLE POSTHOLE".