Raymond J. "Ray" Zagar

In Loving Memory

Raymond "Ray" J. Zagar

January 21, 1934 - March 1, 2026

Arriving in the winter of 1934, Ray was the last of five children born to Slovenian immigrants Anton and Theresa (Mauric) Zagar. As the baby of the family, Ray was doted on by his brothers and sisters. He and others have observed that his siblings – Tony, Frank, Theresa and Stephanie -- were exceptionally kind and generous to him…which may explain why Ray grew into an exceptionally wonderful man.

Thanks to Frank's mentoring and because Ray was a natural athlete, sports was a big part of his youth. In high school, he was named to both Milwaukee's All-City Basketball Team and All-City Baseball Team. After winning a football scholarship to Marquette, he received the Most Valuable Player Award his senior year for excellence on both offense and defense.

But at reunions of his football team held in later years, it seemed that what Ray was remembered most for -- especially by teammates on the second and third strings -- were his humility and kindness. A number of them made a point of saying that Ray never acted like he was anything special and always took an interest in them.

After his last season at Marquette, Ray was picked up in the NFL draft by the Chicago Cardinals. He had a very short career as a pro, as he was soon drafted by the US Army. His main memories of his time in the Army were of touring military posts to play basketball games as a star player on his base's team.

After the army came work as a pharmaceutical sales rep, a nine-month adventure touring Europe with friends Dean Dziczkowski and Andy Clark, 13 years as a loving stepfather to Robyn, Peter and Donna Ducharme, a lengthy career in investment real estate and a 30-year marriage to Anne Curley.

Ray had many accomplishments over the years. But he would tell you that his proudest accomplishment by far was the huge role he played in raising his daughters -- Elizabeth and Claire Zagar. Ray dedicated much of his time to supporting the girls' passions and growth in all areas. Following in his footsteps, Libby and Claire jumped into basketball at an early age and Ray soon followed as a coach. The girls' teammates came to know him as a kind and talented mentor. In addition to his long involvement with both of their teams, he volunteered to coach many others at Saint Mary's Visitation School for the love of the game and for the love of helping kids develop.

Through it all and to the end, Ray exhibited the same quiet confidence and sincere interest in others that he acquired early on.

He is survived by his daughters and their husbands, Graham Brennan and Anthony Aljinovic; his grandsons Michael and Luke Aljinovic and Conor Brennan; his sister Stephanie; his former wife and loving friend Anne; and many dear nieces and nephews. He is also remembered by other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 14, 2026, followed by a memorial service at 2:15 PM at the GUARDIAN ANGEL CHAPEL AT ST. CAMILLUS, 10100 W. Bluemound Road, Wauwatosa, WI 53226.

Church & Chapel Funeral Service Serving the Family

Milw. 262-827-0659 Wauk. 262-549-0659

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