Ramon Luis Arroyo

Ramon Luis Arroyo was born on October 16, 1953 in Bronx, New York to the late Rosa Cintron and Ramon Luis Arroyo Sr. He was the oldest of eight children. Ramon was affectionately known to family and friends as Ray.  The Arroyo family moved to Brooklyn, New York when Ray was 2 years old. As a child, Ray was always musically inclined. As a young teen for Christmas he received a drum set and subsequently a guitar. The house was always filled with kids and music playing. Either the kids making noise with the instruments or mama Rosa with the record player or radio. As a teen Ray played in a garage band and be played basketball and baseball. Fun fact - As a child Ray was born with light brown hair and at 13 decided he wanted his hair black. His ingenious idea was to color it with griffin shoe polish. Ray attended Eastern District High School and at the age of 17, joined the Navy of his own volition before he would be forced under draft orders. He entered into active duty on 5/3/1971 where he did three tours in Vietnam. Ray entered the Navy under a program for air traffic control and once aboard the ship was shifted over to running the general store/commissary and then also became the ship barber. During his service, Ray won multiple service medals including National Defense Service Medal; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Republic of Vietnam Campaign medals; Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star. After his third tour in Vietnam, Ray was honorably discharged from service. Ray then moved to Arizona in 1976 and started his new career as a machinist working for Allied Signal which is now Honeywell. Ray played the bass in his free time whether at home, in church and or in multiple local salsa bands. Ultimately, he carried on his love of music which he never read, his talents were God given. He went on to play keyboard, conga, guitar, all by ear and had jam sessions whenever he felt inspired. Ray loved the New York Yankees and Arizona Cardinals. He was known to sport his New York Yankees gear, including the NY Yankee hat he made famous. If we all take a moment to describe the totality of his existence, it would be defined as nothing less than a life well lived. He loved, he laughed, he was goofy, he dreamt, he gave all he had and filled the hearts of all that had the privilege of knowing him. In a final act of giving, even in death, Ray was a registered organ donor and went on to share the gift of his life with others. Even in the end, Ray gave all he had through his endless grace and generosity. Our Dad wasn’t a man of many words, but always a man of action. He’ll show you better than tell you. Our dad will always be the baseline to our lives. I know he found the music room up there, and they made a place just for him. Ray leaves to cherish his memory: his wife Gabriela Casas, his children Shay Guidry, Justin Arroyo, Chelsy Guidry, KeKe Roberson, Cheri Martin and Hashaun Houston, 16 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren, his sisters, Lourdes, Irene, Diane, brothers, Nelson, David, Joe and Freddy Arroyo; nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.