Ray Sr., Francis R.

Francis R. Ray Sr., 95, of Rome passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2013 in the St. Luke’s Home with his loving son by his side. He was born on November 23, 1917 in Rome the son of Joseph Sr. and Angela Compretti Ray. On October 27, 1945 he married Christine Giardino who passed away on December 3, 1969. He was a graduate of RFA. He proudly served with the US Army during WW II and earned many Decorations and Citations. His name is in the WWII Museum in Washington, DC. He worked for his father’s shoe shop, as a waiter at the Hollywood Restaurant, owned Veterans Taxi, manager of the Rome Bus Station, owned Ray’s Coffee Shop, Ray’s Drive-In Restaurant, manager of the commissary at GAFB and retired as a dietician for DDSO. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, St. John the Baptist Church and Rome Art and Community center. He was a painter and sculptor of arts and some of his works were displayed in the Rome Jervis Library, RFA Library, Rome VA Clinic, Fort Stanwix, Presbyterian Nursing Home, St. John the Baptist Church and the First Methodist Church. He was in a documentary of WWII “Let there be light” directed by John Houston. He was an avid reader, especially of the Bible, enjoyed fishing and baseball, both New York teams and the Boston Red Sox.. The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Rodger Breslow, the Staff of St. Luke’s Home and the Slocum Dickson Medical Group. Francis is survived by his beloved children; a daughter and son-in-law; Denise and Jerry Valliere of Portsmouth, RI, a son Frank Ray, Jr. of Rome, cherished grandchildren; Christina Valliere, Christopher Paul and (Carolina) Ray, a great granddaughter Sophia Christina Ray, a brother James Ray and a daughter-in-law, Bonnie Senecal. He was predeceased by two sisters, Phyllis Giardino and Hortense Costello and a brother Joseph T. Ray. Funeral services will be private. Interment will be in St. John’s Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Bottini Funeral Home, 120 W. Embargo St.