Raymond James Davoli, 86, of Gainesville, Florida died Friday August 16.
Born in Syracuse, Ray graduated from Eastwood High School, and married MaryJane Marra, also of Syracuse. Prior to owning and operating the Atlantic gas station on W. Genesee St. in Fairmont, he served in the US Navy during World War II and worked for the Ford Motor Company. He moved with his family to Florida in 1967. Cars, boats, family, bowling and the Navy were his passion.
Ray is survived by 2 daughters, Terry (Paul) Valletta of Archer, Florida, Karen (Don) Kneeburg of Glendo, Wyoming, 1 grandson, Nicholas Valletta of Archer, his sister Eleanor Canino of Syracuse, 5 nieces and 4 nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Dominick and Theresa Davoli, his brother Anthony Davoli, and sisters Josephine Franconeri, Genevieve Begay, Carmella Gentile, Viola Coniglio and Judith Russo.
There will be a military burial at sea.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice of the Nature Coast, 150 N. Main St., High Springs, FL 32643.
Please sign the guesbook below.
Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your father.
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He was a great man. My deepest sympathy goes out to you and Terry.
Deepest sympathies to your family on the passing of your dad, Ray Davoli. We remembered him at so many of the games and concerts.
I remember your Dad let Paul, Terry, me and maybe you, take his boat out diving, I think we broke the windshield coming back under the bridge by your old house…
That should have taught him several lessons, a good deed never goes un-punished, kids, etc…..
Piper
Terry, KD, et al-your father was always kind and friendly to everyone, and Fred really appreciated his generosity. I remember leaning on his Ghia and talking at the beach. Ray might have built my first VW, a 1320 Frankenstein project, of course. There were a lot of great Italian dads and moms around, taking care of all of us. Sorry for your loss. We need to collect again to remember those great times made so carefree by folks like yours.
Your dad was part of the “Greatest Generation” whose lives made us the greatest nation in the world. I’m glad you had as much time with him as you did… tell your grandchildren about him and his peers, that will be the best way to cherish his memory.
JR
Sincere condolences to you and your family for the loss of your Dad KD.
Sincere condolences to you and your family for the loss of your Dad KD.
My heart goes out to you and the family, KD. I hope you find comfort in many happy memories. Sincere condolences.
KD & Terry,
I remember seeing your Dad at the games and other band events. What a great guy. My prayers are with you, and your family.
Sorry for your loss
I met Ray not too soon after KD and I decided to get married. He was a super auto mechanic and could fix or take apart almost anything.While staying at our house for a while, Ray helped me with installing a garage door opener, showed me how to tune up my Volkswagen, fix a bicycle, and was available for any maintenance activity. He was also a great father who attended KD’s recitals at the University of South Florida, and also attended concerts by the Sunshine Brass Band (an organization KD founded and was the music director). One of his hobbies was assembling models of air planes and sailing vessels. They were always beautifully done and provided decorations for his and other homes. Many of his planes were donated to an airplane museum near the Deland airport (which was used as a base in WWII). Ray always had a good sense of humor and made everyone laugh with his antics and good nature. He will greatly missed.
Please accept our deepest sympathy for the loss of your father. We’ll miss his laugh every afternoon.
Please accept my sympathy for the loss of Mr. Ray. We all will miss his laugh; he always got everyone around him laughing too.
My sincere condolences to Terry, KD and family! Mr. Ray was a wonderful man. He loved to laugh and sing,and always had everyone laughing with him. I’m glad to have known him in these last few years. He will be missed.
I would like to express my sincere condolences to Terry, and KD for the passing of your father. It was an honor and a privilege for me to get to know and spend the time that I did with him. I will carry with me many fond memories from his stay at Southwest Retirement Home. To Ray: So long Chief. I miss you already.
I met Mr. Ray when he had a skin tear at Good Samaritan. He could not tell me how it happened, but he was always willing for me to care for the back of his hand. Two years later I met him again at Southwest when I started helping Jennifer. He was the same sweet gentleman as before I pray that God will be with you, Terry and your family, during this time of sorrow.
KD & Terry, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
It was my honor to meet Ray while he was at Southwest Assisted Living. They told me he prayed every night. I know this to be true because the day before he died I recited the rosary next to him and even though he did not have a rosary in his hands he moved his fingers as though he were holding his beads and reciting it with me. An old monk once told me:” One happy memory can save you.” My prayer for KD and Terry is that happy memories of Ray will sustain you. God bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
I’m sorry for the loss of your dad. Most of my great childhood & “teen hood” memories were because of him. I remember he & I waking up at camp around 7 am and before doing anything we dove in the water. It was pretty cold but felt so good. All the time spent water skiing, what a patient man! Loved his smile, sense of humor and the love he had for family. The reunion was perfect timing and I know Uncle Ray was smiling over the balcony of heaven with us.
My best memories of Uncle Ray are from our times at the Otisco Lake camp. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be here today! He literally saved my life the day I was floating out on the water in a big inner tube. I slipped out of it, thinking I was near the shore, but the water was way over my head! Not a strong swimmer, I floundered just under the surface and actually started blacking out when I felt a strong arm grabbing me around the waist and pulling me to shore, Thank you, Uncle Ray! I look forward to seeing you young and strong again in heaven. Give mom and dad a big kiss and hug for me.