Renato Gaudenzi

Renato ''Ray'' Gaudenzi passed away peacefully on May 29, 2024, in Neptune, New Jersey, at the age of 92. Born in Italy on December 17, 1931, to parents Arnaldo Gaudenzi and Louisa Mazzocchi Gaudenzi, Ray moved to the United States in 1932 at just eighteen months old.
Ray spent his early years in Manhattan before moving to Brooklyn. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Barbara, who passed away in November 2023. The couple's love story began in 1948 when Ray met Barbara as she was getting off the school bus. They were married four years later at St. Rosalia Church in Brooklyn, NY. In 1961, they settled on Seidman Avenue in the Eltingville section of Staten Island, where they resided until 2021.
In 1951, Ray joined the United States Navy and served as a corpsman in Maryland during the Korean War. After his military service, he joined the New York City Police Department in 1955. Ray's dedication and skill as a detective led to his involvement in numerous high-profile cases, including a notable undercover sting operation which was featured in the December 1975 issue of Reader's Digest. His heroism was also highlighted in the NY Daily News for chasing and apprehending two robbery suspects on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Upon his retirement from the NYPD in 1975, Ray became the head of security at the Sheraton in Manhattan. Together with Barbara, he also ran a small business for many years called ''This and That,'' where they sold homemade arts and crafts, bringing joy and creativity to their community.
Ray was a dedicated parishioner at St. Anthony's Church in Travis and found joy in writing poetry and drawing. His life was marked by an interesting episode when he almost caused an international incident due to conscription issues with the Italian government. With the involvement of the State Department, it was resolved when they realized he had left Italy as a baby and had already served in the US Navy.
Ray is survived by his son Robert and his wife Ellen, his daughter Louisa and her husband Salvatore Curto, and his cherished grandchildren: Heather Olivo and her husband Dominick, Rudy Maisto and his fiance Amanda, Lauren Sica and her husband Thomas, and Allison Caballero and her husband Michael. He also leaves behind his beloved great-grandchildren: Dominick, Charlotte, Madison, and Ryan, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Ray was predeceased by his sisters Stella Gaudenzi and Sandra Gruber.
Renato ''Ray'' Gaudenzi's life was a testament to love, service, and creativity. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, and his legacy will continue to inspire and warm the hearts of those he leaves behind.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:00 AM on Wednesday at St. Anthony of Padua Church located at 4055 Victory Blvd Staten Island, New York 10314. Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, 361 Sharrott Ave, Staten Island, NY 10309
Following Services at Resurrection Cemetery the family has asked you to join them for a Repast at The Knights of Columbus 100 Kreischer Street, Staten Island, 10309