Raymond Anthony Viola

Raymond Anthony Viola, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and beloved patriarch of his family, who was blessed with an extraordinary life and the greatest sense of humor, passed away suddenly on October 26, 2024 at the age of 92.
Born in Brooklyn to Nicholas and Edna Viola in 1932, Ray attended Bushwick High School, where he was a star football player, and the sport would remain one of his lifelong passions. At 18 he joined the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he was stationed in Germany for several years. Upon his return in 1954, he married his high school sweetheart, Joan Modrako, and soon welcomed his devoted sons Gary and Steven into the world.
After receiving his real estate degree from New York University, he began his career at Webb & Knapp, deftly managing the Kips Bay and Lincoln Towers properties. In 1965, Ray joined NYU, which would become his professional home for the next 38 years. Rising to Director of Real Estate, Ray was deeply respected by five University Presidents and all who worked with him for his intelligence, energy, honesty and unparalleled sense of humor. Ray's popularity on campus led many to refer to him as the real Pope of Greenwich Village, and many of the deep bonds he forged there remain to this day. He cherished them all.
In 1960, he and Joan built a home and settled into Point Lookout, NY, where he lived ever since. Following Joan's heartbreaking passing, Ray met and married Sylvia Pempe in 1976. Sylvia was also a member of his beloved NYU family, and the two enjoyed 46 joyful years together working at the University, traveling the world, helping with the grandkids they adored, and cherishing their time with family and friends.
To know Ray was to love Ray: his big personality and spirited hijinks filled many a room, and his kindness and boundless generosity touched all who were blessed to know him. A pillar of strength and a beacon of unconditional love, his absence will forever leave a void in the hearts of his family and the legions of people who loved him.
Ray is survived by his son Gary and his wife Patty, son Steven and his wife Terrie, his grandchildren Nicholas and his wife Anna Maria, Stephanie and her husband Frankie, Teo, and his great-granddaughter Bella Rose.
A wake will be held on Friday, November 1st from 4:00 to 8:00pm at Christopher T. Jordan Funeral Home in Island Park, NY. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, November 2nd at 11:00am at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, Point Lookout, NY.
Memorial donations may be made to the Point Lookout Civic Association in the form of a check to Point Lookout Park Project, P.O. Box 759, Point Lookout, NY, 11569 to support Children's Day 2025 in Ray's honor.