Raymond Joseph Weinbrecht

Raymond “Ray” Joseph Weinbrecht, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend was welcomed into his Heavenly home on May 9, 2021, at the young age of 80. We are comforted knowing that he got to spend his Mother’s Day with his momma in Heaven.

Ray was born in Queens, New York, on June 25, 1940, to William Joseph and Marie Elizabeth (Fanning) Weinbrecht.

Ray attended K-8th grade at Ss. Joachim & Anne School in Queens. He graduated High School from St. John’s Prep School in Astoria, Queens, New York. From there, he continued his Catholic Education by attending St. John’s University, Queens New York Campus. Ray was an athlete and he was an avid bowler and ball player. He also loved golfing.

It was during this time that Ray began working for Rheingold Brewery, in Brooklyn, New York, in the payroll department. According to an article in the New York Times, “Rheingold Beer was once a top New York brew guzzled regularly by a loyal cadre of workingmen who would just as soon have eaten nails as drink another beer maker's suds.” With a jingle like the one below, why would you choose any other beer?

My beer is Rheingold, the dry beer.

Think of Rheingold whenever you buy beer.

It's not bitter, not sweet; it's the dry flavored treat.

Won't you try extra dry Rheingold beer?

It was at Rheingold that Ray met the love of his life, Mary Jane Maloney, who also worked for the brewery. According to both Ray and Mary, every now and then, in order to do “quality control checks”, it was common for the employees to drink an ice-cold Rheingold during their workday.

On one of the many dates that Ray and Mary went on, he saved both his golf clubs and Mary from getting dirty with mud, by carrying both of them across the golf course. He was a true gentleman!

Ray proposed to Mary while she was on a trip to Hawaii, by writing her a mushy love letter (which he later denied, jokingly…but we found the proof!). When Mary returned from her trip, they both went to Macy’s to purchase the diamond ring. During this shopping trip, Ray commented that Mary had great taste in jewelry.

Ray and Mary Jane Maloney were united in Holy Matrimony on October 27, 1968 at St. Brigid Church in Brooklyn New York. The first song they danced to at their wedding was “Fly Me to the Moon.” This year, they would have celebrated 53 years of marriage.

While living in Brooklyn New York, Ray and Mary began to expand their family by celebrating the birth of their daughter Julie Ann, and then later welcoming a son, Thomas John. In 1973, wanting to be closer to his brothers and their families, Ray, Mary, Julie and Tom headed west to beautiful and sunny San Diego, California. They made their home in Santee, living in the same home in their neighborhood for over 48 years.

The move was a happy one as Ray and Mary continued to expand their family again, this time adding two additional sons, Joseph Peter and William Raymond.

Ray LOVED baseball and helped coach on all the boys’ baseball teams, including the Santee American Red Sox. His dedication was not only felt by his children, it was also felt by all the players he coached. During his time coaching, as well as throughout the years that followed, Ray was approached by many former players who thanked him for all that he taught them…on the field and off. He was a great mentor to many of them. His love of baseball was used in his “Dad” Lessons to the kids, as most of the lessons he taught were explained using baseball terminology.

Ray was employed as a taxi driver and sold insurance. He then became employed by San Diego Transit as a bus driver, where he worked for over 29 years until his retirement. Ray continued to enjoy bowling, golf, watching the San Diego Padres (Maybe an angelic intervention is in store for this year’s World Series?), sitting on his front porch filling in the San Diego Tribune’s crossword puzzle, reading the next James Patterson book or another crime novel, drinking an ice cold beer, playing poker with friends and family, and every now and then, heading to Las Vegas to visit his brother in law, Joe “Dietz” Maloney, or driving to Barona to play table games and slot machines. His favorite pastime though was spending time with his wife, his children and all their grandchildren. Every Saturday, his youngest son Bill would call. During that conversation, Ray always mentioned Julie, Tom, Joe, and the grandkids and what they were up to. He was always so proud of each one of them and their accomplishments.

Ray is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jane; his daughter Julie and husband Wes; his son Tom; his son Joe and his wife Charlene; his son Bill and his wife Traci. He was a loving grandfather to Chris, Christian, Justin, Josh, Leah, Trevor, Russell, Art, Samantha, Brandon, Chase & Liam. He is also survived by his brother Joseph and his wife Peggy; a sister-in-law Mary Helen; Brother-in-Law Joseph Maloney; and his nieces and nephews: Mark (Kim), Greg (Andrea), Brian (Rochelle), Jenny, Kristine, and Nicole; Great-Nephew, Will; and a Great-Niece, Amanda (Elias).

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Bill, and a Great-Nephew, James.

We will miss his sense of humor, his laughter, and the love he showed each one of us. Dad, we know that this time away from you is only temporary. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, this is not “Goodbye”, rather, it is “We will see you again.” Until that day when we can hear your voice, join you in your laughter, and listen to your great stories, we promise to love each other, continue to make you proud, and hold on to our faith in God. Last, but definitely not least, dad, we will take care of mom until you are reunited again in Heaven. We love you Pop!

***The family wishes to thank all of Ray and Mary’s incredible friends and neighbors that prepared meals, came to their home to assist them whenever they needed, those that delivered groceries, and those that loved them as if they were their own parents. There are no words that can express our love and our thanks to you. Thank you also to Comfort & Peace Hospice for helping us in the last weeks of dad’s life. Thank you especially, to Chaplain Connie for your prayers and the comfort you provided to our mother during the most difficult of days. God bless each one of you.