Family First

By: Carol, Gino & Family

I will always be grateful to Ray going the extra mile for the extended family which required much forbearance at times. A few memories come to mind:

• Fall 1984 – Taking me apartment hunting and then moving me into a basement apartment in DC, outfitted with extra Tiernan furniture plus $80 hard cash to tide me over.

• Fast forward to a memorable family holiday dinner involving a Smithfield ham, personally delivered by certain insistent grandparents. Immense and covered in green mold, the ham was so big that it broke the kitchen faucet and had to be moved to the bathtub to desalinate. A plumber had to be called for not only the faucet but also for a very clogged toilet by the guest room. The ham was inedible. Ray showed remarkable forbearance as the ham leftovers were being divvied up.

• Along the same lines, it’s a wonder that Ray and Linda didn’t change the house keys after all of my extended stays (and many other visits by family and friends). Ever welcoming, Ray patiently endured, cooked and shared cooking tips (“always cook eggs on low”) and gave home advice (“don’t underestimate the importance of lighting”). And through it all, Ray was always, always concerned for the well-being of others. 

We love you, Ray. 

With love,

Carol and Gino and family