OBITUARY
Raymond William Gazzera
February 12, 1930 – June 18, 2020
Raymond William Gazzera, 90, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away on June 18, 2020.
Raymond was born on February 12, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan to the late John and Florence Gazzera. He married Marjorie Whitacre in 1953, and the couple moved the Phoenix, Arizona in 1957.
During his career as an Aerospace Engineer, Raymond amassed more than a dozen patents. His pastimes included tinkering with cars, skiing, sailing and bowling. He had a heart of gold and will be greatly missed.
Raymond was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Marjorie. He is survived by his son, Glen (Rose); daughter, Janet (John); grandchildren Michael (Amanda), Devon, Darienne and Chantelle (Marlin) and great-grandchildren Connor, Evan, Madison and Steven.
FAMILY
- Marjorie Gazzera, Spouse (deceased)
- Glen (Rose), Son
- Janet (John), Daughter
- Michael (Amanda), Grandchild
- Devon, Grandchild
- Darienne, Grandchild
- Chantelle (Marlin), Grandchild
- Connor, Great Grandchild
- Evan, Great Grandchild
- Madison, Great Grandchild
- Steven, Great Grandchild
Services
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Visitation
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
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Funeral Service
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
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Graveside Service
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Memories
Raymond William Gazzera
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYValarie Marquez
July 2, 2020
Uncle Ray was one of the most precious people I ever met. I loved visiting with him and Marjorie in Scottsdale. They always made me feel like one of the family. A memory I will always cherish is sitting on the back porch with him early in the morning while everyone was asleep, drinking coffee, and talking about the whole world. I will always have a special place in my heart for him and miss him so much. He was one in a million.
Bob Dyer
July 1, 2020
One of our family traditions was having Thanksgiving at the Gazzera's house. Uncle Raymond, being the engineer that he was had figured out a way to calculate the cooking time of the turkey with math using calculus and differential equations. He had a chart and graph of the cook time and temperature of the bird! I think it worked because the turkey always turned out great.
Many good times were spent there and I have a lot of wonderful memories. Great home cooked (from scratch) family meals, Bocce games, playing penny-ante poker and giving my kids rides in the rumble seat of the old Ford.
Uncle Ray was a very kind and gentle man, he will be missed.
Connor Slattum
June 30, 2020
Great grandpa was a wonderful and wise man. After he saw that I loved math and science, he told me about what he's accomplished, and always had an answer to my questions. He inspired me to try engineering in school. Great grandpa's accomplishments are awe inspiring. I remember one summer on a trip to San Diego, he taught me and my brother how to sail. Never got the hang of the lingo but now I know the basics of sailing. Taught me how to read the water, get a feel of the wind and everything. I'm going to miss him. Rest in peace great grandpa. I love you. ❤️
Evan Slattum
June 30, 2020
I could never whistle. And everybody I ever met tried to help me whistle. But not great Grandpa. Great Grandpa never whistled either, and so he taught me how to do what he did instead of whistling. It was a simple hum with a push of air. I loved that. When he couldn’t figure out whistling, he came up with his own way. I’ll never be able to whistle, but when I hum with an exhale, I’ll always think of him.
Glen Gazzera
June 30, 2020
I will always remember you. , MY POPS THE GREATEST DAD EVER !!! RIP. DAD .♥️
Chantelle Slattum
June 30, 2020
There are many memories I have with Grandpa. But one of my favorites is when we sailed to Catalina Island. I loved watching him sail the boat! Giving everyone a job to do and explaining how to do it. My family and I had such a wonderful time! We are so fortunate to have had him for a grandpa/great grandpa! ❤️
Leslie King
June 30, 2020
While I did not know Ray, I do have the following special memory. While I was introducing myself at a new job to the staff members, I mentioned that I am very close to my dad, considering him my best friend. After the introductions two teachers came to me to share that they too were very close to their fathers, Mrs. Elms and Mrs. Cronover. After this conversation, we were bonded in the love we shared for our dads. Janet and I would share stories of our dads and talk about how we were going to visit them on the weekend, etc. Sometimes we would discuss the things they could no longer do, like walk from the car to a football game in the stadium. We felt the sadness of each other, but we also relished in the love of our dads, which we were so lucky to have! I'm so sorry for your loss.
Tia Renshaw
June 29, 2020
Tia and Mike fondly remember Ray for his days with the Arizona Yacht Club and sailing in Arizona. Ray developed (invented) a water pressure speedometer for his Thistle which roughly indicated the speed of the boat through the water! While the invention likely did not result in wining any sail boat races, it was very cool. We will miss Ray and his visits to our sometimes bi-yearly Jam Fest celebration. Tia and Mike send their convalescences and best wishes to Rays family.
Martin Lorch
June 28, 2020
Wonderful to have known Ray.
Ray was a real gentleman.
It was a pleasure.
Joseph Motil
June 28, 2020
I first met Ray through the Arizona Yacht Club and I will always remember him as a very gentle and kind man with a sly wit that you could not help but smile at. We shared a love of sailing and it is true that he seemed to have things go wrong in these sailing adventures, yet in spite of it, he always was able to find the bright side of things. I will always have fond memories of him, his true gentleness and wish him fair winds to carry him along where ever he wants to go.
Tyler James Pace
June 28, 2020
Ray sponsored my membership with the AYC in 2003. I was 24 just back from a working abroad and was shocked to find serious racers so we immediately bonded; Ray had me test out a Sunfish. I met a friend and competitor, a genuine Corinthian spirit.
We would like to extend our sincere condolences during this difficult time.
I will always remember Ray on a the water; Ray is a quiet, wonderful man and mentor. Our prayers are with his family as his legacy lives.
Emory Heisler
June 27, 2020
As many have shared, I remember Ray as one of the happiest Sailors, happiest PEOPLE I've ever known. Early in my Arizona Yacht Club days when I was just learning to sail Ray and I chased each other around Towne Lake on Sunfish, me on my adopt a boat and Ray with his K-??? radio callsign sail. He always had a smile and kind and helpful words to share with me after sailing. My prayers go out to his family along with my gratefulness for having known him. Fair winds Ray ~~~_/)~~~
Leslie Holden
June 27, 2020
My Uncle Ray was the most gentle, kind and interesting man. I was lucky to spend an August of 1972 with Marjorie, Ray, Glen and Janet. Uncle Ray took us all over the state of Arizona and Utah. Marjorie took Glen and I to Disneyland. I loved being with them. I wished I could have stayed there forever.
May Uncle Ray rest in eternal peace. You were loved by many.
Leslie Holden
Niece
Michael Martina
June 27, 2020
I remember the time camping when Ray took an old sleeping bag and burned it in the campfire!! What a smell!! He will be missed.
Rhonda Tank
June 26, 2020
Uncle Raymond, the most humorous and easy going man I have ever known! I do not think there was an ounce of nervousness in his whole body and soul! Absolutely nothing rattled him. One time while we were all camping, Janet got the car stuck in a mud puddle. The kids came walking back to camp and Ray just laughed and went to help! He could entertain us around the campfire with his great funny songs. Another memory was again camping. I was left at camp alone when Ray and Michael pulled up. It was raining so hard and I was in a tent with my little dog. Ray called me over to his nice dry trailer. Michael became bartender and Ray introduced me to Scotch!! What a blast we had. Then we finished off with some of Margie’s famous a Turkey Chili! I could go on, but these are a couple memorable times for me! RIP Unvle Raymond. 💜💜💜
Vicki Keeton
June 25, 2020
Mr. G... you are one of a kind and the most adventurist and fun loving man! I am so glad I had the privilege to grow up with you as a 2nd dad and all the memories I have: from snow skiing, sail boating, Model A cars, trick or treating, swimming in the lake, and just hanging out at the house. You will be missed. May you Rest In Peace until we see each other again! Love you!!
All At NetVEST
June 24, 2020
These photos are wonderful and show just how much Ray was so very loved. We are honored to have known him and we share in your grief. Thinking and praying for the entire Gazzera family...
John Cartolano and all at NetVEST Financial LLC