Obituary: Raymond S. Tomasco, Age 78

On January 16, 2013 a talented, clever and witty man, Raymond Stephen Tomasco, left this world. At home surrounded by his family, Raymond passed peacefully. He leaves with those who knew him memories of antics over family dinners, vacations in St. Augustine with his son and daughter in law, afternoon Scrabble tournaments with his wife, cheering on his grandson at sporting events, and debating the best recipe for sauerkraut soup with his granddaughter.

He was born on August 22, 1934 at home in Stratford, CT and from that day on Ray went about changing the lives of all he knew for the better. Claiming that the secret to his charm lay in the sparkle in his bright blue eyes, Raymond proudly told the story of how those eyes of his won him the love of his life: Anita, his wife of 55 years. A certified land surveyor for many years before his retirement, Ray was always looking for the best solution to any problem. From shoddy exhaust pipes to remodeling trim with the most detailed eye, Ray had plenty of practice thinking on his feet and coming up with clever fixes while he and Anita raised their three wonderful children Julianne, Denise and Raymond Jr. A family man to the core, Ray or "Pop", spent countless hours joking around with his grandchildren Lauren and Mike-passing along to them his wonderfully sarcastic sense of humor in the process.

Ray is survived by his wife Anita nee Langevin, his daughter Julianne Szkoda and her husband Roman of Santa Fe, NM, his daughter Denise Plude and her husband Michael of , his son Raymond and his wife Christina of Mooresville, NC, his two grandchildren Lauren Plude and Mike Plude, and his 'granddog' Annie. He is also survived by his brother Matthew and his wife Anita of Stratford, CT, his brother Robert and his wife Elsa of Albany, OR, and his sister Dorothy Tomasco of Derby, CT. Ray is predeceased by his parents Anna and Paul.

A memorial mass celebrating Ray's wonderful life will be held on Monday January 21, 2013 at 9:30am at St. Jude's Catholic Church 707 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT. In lieu of flowers, Ray's family requests donations be made to Constellation Health Services 240 Indian River Road, Orange, CT 06477 in honor of the care given to Ray in his last days by everyone at Constellation (especially Sharon). To leave an online condolence please visit www.spadaccinofuneralhome.com