Paul D. Ray, 57, of Erie, PA passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 following an extended illness.
He was born in College Park, Maryland on March 28, 1965, a son of the late, John N. and Giselle (Beaulieu) Ray.
Paul was a graduate of Fort Leboeuf High School Class of 1983. For many years he was a meat cutter and eventually became the Union Representative for Local 23. Most recently, he was a Telephone Operator for the Veterans Administration. Paul enjoyed hunting, fishing, and watching football, especially the Ohio State Buckeyes and Jacksonville Jaguars. He loved cars and motorcycles, an earlier life hobby he much enjoyed. Paul was involved for years with Freedom Guide Dogs. He loved his animals throughout the years, including Freedom Guide Dogs Ewok and Nelson, and pets Reggie, Giselle, and many others. Paul was known to many friends and family as a man they could always count on, and he loved to spend time with them. He was lovingly known to his three grandchildren as their "candy grandpa" and they brought him much joy. He will be deeply missed by his family and his many friends.
Paul is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his life partner, Jeanne Kitcey, daughter, Erin Stevens (Dan), son, Nathan Batten, grandchildren, Chase, Camden, and Rowan Stevens, siblings, Maria Minnaugh, John Ray (Janette), Nancy Herbe (Jeffrey), Jeanne’s son, Nicholas Harrington, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extended their sincere gratitude to all the staff at UPMC Hamot for their compassion and excellent care.
Friends may call on Monday at the Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 2502 Sassafras St. Erie, PA 16502 from 3pm until the time of the service at 6:30pm. Burial will be private. Send condolences to www.kloeckerfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) at www.jdrf.org, PA Association for the Blind at www.pablind.org, or Freedom Guide Dogs www.freedomguidedogs.com