Raymond Varalli

Raymond Varalli, 84, of New Philadelphia, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 2, 2005, at Union Hospital in Dover from complications following hip surgery.A leap-year baby, Ray was born in Roswell, Ohio on February 29, 1920 to the late Secondo and Cecelia Bartoglio Varalli. He was a graduate of the former Midvale High School.On September 5, 1941, he married Helen Ball and, with her. shared nearly 57 years of marriage prior to her death in l998. He entered the United States Navy in l943, and served in the Pacific Theater as a Machinist Mate 3c. In the Battle of Okinawa during World War II, Ray was serving aboard the destroyer, USS Evans, when it was hit by a Kamikaze pilot. He continued his tour of duty aboard the USS Monitor. Before being honorably discharged in l945, he was awarded the American Area Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with two stars, the World War II Victory Ribbon, and the Presidential Unit Citation.He and his family moved to Wyandotte, Michigan, where he was the parts manager at Fred Hall Chevrolet in Flat Rock for 23 years until his retirement. Returning to New Philadelphia in l974, Ray became a familiar face in the community, working at various places, most recently at Park Honda in New Philadelphia until 2001. He also served as a school crossing guard, and volunteered his time as a member and past-president and vice-president of the New Philadelphia High School Band Parents. Ray was also a member of New Philadelphia VFW Post #1445 and Sacred Heart Church in New Philadelphia.Even in his later years, Ray remained young at heart. An avid reader, he stayed abreast of current events and was very involved in the lives of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who were always the pride of his life.He will be missed by his four daughters, Lana Jean Varalli of Flat Rock, MI, Lynn (Jim) Latimer of Carleton, MI, Lori Chapman and Lisa (Kevin) Burgess, both of New Philadelphia; grandchildren, Jessie (Rhonda) Harper, Darin (Lina) Latimer, Jamie (Neil) Davis, Stacy (Darrell) Colwell, Gina Renicker, Elizabeth Burgess, Bryce Burgess, and Blake Burgess; great-grandchildren, Jessie Harper, Ryann Davis, and Griffin Davis; and sister, Norma (Clifford) D’Aoust of Clawson, MI. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, one son, two grandchildren, and one brother.Visitation will be at the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory in New Philadelphia on Saturday, February 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. with Christian Wake Services on Sunday at 2:45 p.m. Visitation will also be at Sacred Heart Church on Monday, February 7, 2005, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m, one hour prior to the Mass of Christian Burial which will begin on Monday at 10:30 a.m. with Msgr. George J. Schlegel officiating. Ray will be buried next to his wife at Calvary Cemetery in New Philadelphia, where military rites will be conducted by the New Philadelphia VFW. Following the committal, friends and family are invited to a reception at the Geib Family Center in New Philadelphia.Memorial contributions to honor Ray’s life may be made to the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, 201A West Ohio Avenue, Dover, OH, 44622 or to the American Diabetes Association of Northeast Ohio, 1815 W. Market Street, Suite 108, Akron, OH 44313.