Raymond Peter Gaziano

Raymond Peter Gaziano, 78, of Rockford, died at 6:52a.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2011 in Rockford Memorial Hospital after an extended illness due to cardiac complications and diabetes. Born January 4, 1933 in Rockfordnbsp; Illinois; the son ofnbsp; Joseph and Carmella Gaziano. Attended St. Anthony of Padua Grade school , Washington Jr. High school and West High school (Class of 1950), Rockford; University of Illinois Urbana, Northern Illinois University DeKalb, Rock Valley and Rockford College.nbsp;nbsp; Married Mary Louise DeCastris on April 25, 1959 in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Rockford. Loving and proud Father of Joseph Frank (J.F.) (Nancy Sciame) Rockford,nbsp; and Tresa Anne (Kenneth Box) Gaziano-Box Virginia Beach, VAnbsp; and Poppi to beloved Grandson Zachary Ray Gaziano, Chicago. A faith-filled, lifelong member of St. Anthony of Padua Church, Ray actively served in the lay ministry as a Mass Lector and Minister of the Holy Eucharist. He was also a member of the Senior Holy Name Society and formerly the adult choir. Active in his early years in city politics working with The Young Democrats,nbsp; former Fifth Ward Alderman;nbsp; Metropolitan Life Insurance agent,nbsp; and ultimately retiring as Purchasing Director for the City of Rockford in 1996.nbsp; Active in National and Illinois Governmental Purchasing Associations (NIGP), and St. Ambrogio Society Club.nbsp; He enjoyed playing in the Mens as well as the Mixed Bocci Leagues at the club.nbsp; Ray was very proud of his 30+ year association with the July 4 th Committee.nbsp; He proudly served in the United States Air Force as a Navigation Officer in the Korean War. A proud American, he felt fortunate for the opportunity and for his ability to volunteer his services for this annual endeavor.nbsp; Rays non-assuming and what you see is what you get personality, led to his making friends of most everyone he met, accepting them at face value, unconditionally.nbsp; This was also evident with his lifes priority, which was his family.nbsp; In his eyes they could do no wrong.nbsp; Rays hobbies included puttering for hours in his yard enhancing his postage stamp property.nbsp; An avid puzzle solver, primarily crossword and cryptoquip, often times fielding calls of friends and family alike asking for hints.nbsp; A crossword puzzle book was stashed in every room of the house and in both of the family cars, handy on those days when he patiently waited while driving Miss Mary whenever and wherever she asked.nbsp; Always accommodating!nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; He also was a collector of sorts selecting both tools and non essentials alike at garage and estate sales.nbsp; In his younger years, his great love was fishing especially in Canada and hunting with dear friends. Highlights in his life were the weekly contact breakfasts with his guys a bevy of former school and neighborhood friends.nbsp; He relished the fun outings for a game of golf at any given opportunity or an occasional trip to a casino for a day of Ramp;R with the guys. For the past 15 years, Ray and Mary Louise enjoyed friends and time in the sun as they wintered down south on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

Raynbsp;is survived by his loving wife, Mary Louise; son, Joseph Frank ( J.F.) (Nancy) Gaziano;nbsp; daughter, Tresa Anne Gaziano-Box (Lieutenant Commander Kenneth Box USN), Virginia Beach, Va.; grandson, Zachary Ray Gaziano, Chicago; sister, Rose Mary Zammuto; brother, Josephnbsp;(Diann) Gaziano; brother-in-law, Alfeo Bari; sister-in-law, Susan Gaziano; brother-in-law, Frank (Chico)(Joanne) DeCastris; aunts, Amelia Pro, Josephine Giorgi, Italia DeCastris and uncle, Primonbsp;(Rose) Tanaglia, in addition to several loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Predeceased by parents; brothers, Rosario, Serafino,