Raymond A. Bare

Raymond A. Bare, 70, Loves Park, died peacefully in his home on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. Surviving sixteen years with cancer Ray was an inspiration to others through his positive attitude and tireless expressions of faith. Born January 23, 1944 in Beloit, WI, the son of Carl and Genevieve (Abrahamson) Bare (both deceased). He graduated from Auburn High School in 1963 and attended Rock Valley College. He and Fannie Wilkins were married on January 24, 1970. Veteran, U.S. Air Force, July 1963, (serving 15 months in Vietnam) honorably discharged 1967. Ray worked for Illinois Bell Telephone as a cable splicer then joined IBM in 1968 working there until his retirement in 1992. Ray worked as a manager for a number of companies, including Duplex in DeKalb, IL, Williams Sonoma, as well as Planet RX in Memphis, TN, Webvan in Carol Stream, IL, and as a consultant to Hewlett/Packard in Michigan. Prior to his full retirement in 2005 he was a realtor for Country North—Doyle Woodhouse. Ray was a member of the YMCA Retired Men's Club and sang in their men's chorus. He volunteered with the Car's Ministry and ShareFest at Heartland Community Church, Habitat for Humanity, and Rock House Kids. He was past president of the Cross Creek Condo Association and an active participant in the Metro Paint-a-Thon, St. Mark's Lutheran Church Marksmen and VietNow, veteran's support group. His love of singing made him a welcomed voice in various area choruses. He was an avid woodworker, gospel music fan, and Green Bay Packer faithful.
Ray is survived by his loving wife, Fannie, whom he adored; daughters, Tonya (Henry) Arana and their children, Claire, Enrique and Romario of Union Pier, MI, and Sarah (Jeff) Schlaht and their children, Brynn and Whitney of Loves Park, IL; brothers, Ronald (Sharon) Bare, Rockford, IL; Russell (Susan) Bare, Fair Oaks, CA, and many nieces and nephews. Ray was also preceded in death by his brothers, Roger (Maggie) Bare (2013) and Richard E. Bare 1976.
A celebration of Ray's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Pastor Doug Thiesen, Heartland Community Church, officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Swedish—American Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic Oncology Center or Northern Illinois Hospice. The family extends their heartfelt appreciation and thanks to all the family, friends, doctors, nurses and staff for the love, gifts of food, assistance, and emotional support everyone has provided.
Please express condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com