Ray Allen Squillace joined the staff of the Supreme Commander, this day May 18, 2011. He was born May 26, 1934, and raised in Seattle. He attended Garfield High School. He was employed at United Parcel Service for almost nine years. Ray then joined the U.S. Navy and remained on active duty for 28 years. He retired as a chief yeoman in November 1989.
After his retirement, he moved to Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island and lived until his departure from this earth. While living in Oak Harbor, he attended Skagit Valley College for three years. In June 1993, Ray was employed as a security officer at the Puget Sound Refining Company at Anacortes (formerly Texaco) until the time of his death. He loved to travel and work jigsaw puzzles. One of his favorite places to go was the government locks in Seattle to watch the ships go through.
He was an avid lover of Northwest Indian carving and artwork. He cherished his Howard Miller grandfather clock. He enjoyed playing the stock market and had a keen interest in real estate. Ray enjoyed being an activist for causes he believed in. He was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 97 and American Legion, Post 129, both in Oak Harbor.
He was preceded in the hereafter by his parents, Ralph and Lois, his brother Ralph, whom he dearly admired, all of Seattle; and one brother-in-law, Frank Coleman of Vancouver, Wash., also his ex-wife and a special friend Karleen Izenhower of Coupeville.
Ray is survived by his wife, Peggy; two daughters, Teresa Squillace and husband Harry Steiner of Seattle and Rita Squillace and husband Mike Begley of Vallejo, Calif.; a son, Richard Rogers and wife Jewel of Corralitos, Calif.; two stepsons, David Hood and wife Heather of Jasper, Ala., and Dusty Hood and wife Misty of Arley, Ala.; sisters, Muriel Tofte of Seattle, Margaret Coleman of Vancouver, Wash., sister-in-law Ellen Squillace of Seattle, eight granddaughters, one grandson, one great-grandson and one great-granddaughter, various nieces, nephews and cousins.
My time, love, sorrow and happiness on this earth is over. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I await in heaven for my loved ones and friends to join me: “Bye for now.”
Graveside services will be held at the Baldo Cemetery in Jasper, Ala., on Thursday, May 26. Family and friends may sign an on line registry and leave memories at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com.
