Raymond Joseph Terribile

1933 - 2024

Raymond Joseph Terribile

March 9, 1933 - January 3, 2024

Sacram, California - Raymond "Ray" Joseph Terribile, a native and lifelong Sacramentan, was born on March 9, 1933 to Italian immigrants Mary and Anthony Terribile, born in Naples and Sicily, respectively, The youngest of three children, Ray grew up with his brother Francis ("Frank," 1923-2010) and Marie ("Molly," 1931-2020). Ray was raised on the 2600 block of S Street in Midtown Sacramento, a neighborhood that was settled by a large number of Italian immigrants. A lifelong Catholic, Ray attended Christian Brothers High School, graduating in 1951. After high school, Ray joined the United States Army and served during the Korean War before being honorably discharged after reaching the rank of Corporal. After completing his military service, Ray worked for the State of California for 34 years before retiring in 1993.

During his youth, Ray spent countless hours at Sacramento's historic Alhambra Theater, where his father worked as a custodian. It was there that Ray developed his lifelong love of art in all its forms. Indeed, Ray was an avid collector of paintings and sculptures, with a particular affinity for works done by local Sacramento artists. Ray also had an affinity for jazz and classical music, with favorites including Chopin, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Brubeck. But Ray's primary love, and the hobby for which he was perhaps best known, was photography. His Poverty Ridge apartment was perpetually adorned with an array of still photographs, some taken by others but most taken by him.

Ray was a legend of local Sacramento coffee shops, and he could always be found enjoying a cup or two with his long-standing group of friends. To be sure, if one needed to find Ray, the best places to look were the old Espresso Metro on 11th Avenue or the Peet's Coffee on 19th Street near Safeway. Ray and his friends would almost certainly be there just talking, with Ray, a natural performer, usually holding court.

Never one to sit still for very long, Ray was also a frequent bicycle rider, and he could often be seen riding through the streets of Midtown Sacramento and on the American River Trail. At times Ray and his friends would travel to Santa Cruz to ride their bikes and, yes, hang out at local coffee shops. Many of these trips included his close friend, Kelly Norris.

Ray remained active with his eclectic hobbies well into his 80s. Even as he slowed down as he approached 90, Ray continued to charm any new people who entered his life, including his devoted and unmatched team of caretakers: Erin, Manasa, Alfred, Sydnie, and Elenoa. Ray's family will be forever grateful to these individuals for their tireless efforts tending to Ray's needs at the end of his life.

A lifelong bachelor, Ray is survived by his nieces and nephews and their families, all of whom brought him much joy throughout his life. This includes his sister Molly's children: Monica Donnelly (Joe Babich), Christopher Donnelly, Anthony Donnelly, Mary Donnelly, Joseph Donnelly (Deborah Lane), and James Donnelly; sister-in-law Barbara Terribile; Ray's grandnieces and nephews: Rosemary Livaich (Joe Livaich), Nora Babich, Georgia Milicevic (Marko Milicevic), Anton Babich (Elizabeth Enea), and Chalon Moon (Raven Moon); and Ray's great-grandnieces and nephews: Ante Livaich, Flora Livaich, Agostino Livaich, Roko Milicevic, Marta Milicevic, Anthony Milicevic, Avery Babich, and Ryker Theoboldt. Ray was predeceased by parents Mary and Anthony Terribile, sister Molly Donnelly, brother Frank Terribile, and nephew Peter Donnelly.

A celebration of life will be planned for a later date.