Raymond Zujus

Ray was born on July 9, 1935, in Kaunas, Lithuania, the son of Mojetius and Teofiles Zujus. At the age of 10, fleeing the atrocities of war, Ray and his family escaped the advancing Russian front and found safety with U.S. forces in Germany. Ray, along with his mother and sister, became displaced persons residing in a camp in Oberlenningen, Germany. After being reunited with his father, Ray and his family immigrated to the United States in 1949 and settled in Kearny, NJ.

Ray graduated from Kearny High School. While working at a local hardware store, he met the love of his life, Joan P. Zujus (Oyer). Determined to repay his debt to the United States, Ray became a US Citizen in 1954 and joined the U.S. Navy in 1955. He attended basic training at Great Lakes and, after assignments on several surface ships, found his true passion in the U.S. Submarine Force in Groton, Connecticut, where he joined the crew of the USS George Washington (SSBN-598).

He rose quickly to the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. Traveling with his growing family, Ray had many duty assignments, including Charleston, SC; Key West, FL; and Pensacola, FL, before returning to Groton, CT, for his remaining years of service. Serving during the Korean War and throughout the Cold War, Ray dedicated his career to the defense of his country. The highlight of Ray’s was serving as Chief of the Boat on the USS Philadelphia (SSN-690) and USS Baltimore (SSN-704).

Ray retired in 1985 after 30 years of service and began a second career at General Dynamics in Groton, CT, before fully retiring in 2000.

Proud to be a United States citizen and of his U.S. Navy service, Ray was also deeply proud of his Lithuanian heritage. He visited Lithuania several times during his retirement, forming lifelong friendships.

Ray is survived by his five children: Raymond Zujus (Lynda) of Oviedo, FL; Trish Bagley (Chuck) of Johnston, RI; Debbie Peeler (Mike) of Merritt Island, FL; Paul Zujus of Uncasville, CT; and Greg Zujus (Stacy) of Mystic, CT. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased in 2015 by his loving wife, Joan Zujus.

Family and Friends may visit Montville Funeral Home of Church and Allen, 53 Norwich New London Tpke., Uncasville on Thursday, May 7th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday May 8th at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 63 Old Norwich Road, Quaker Hill. Burial will immediately follow at Stonington Cemetery, 345 North Main Street, Stonington. Donation may be made in Ray’s honor to St. Joseph Indian School, 1301 N. Main St. Chamberlain, SD, 57352.

“Fair winds and following seas Master Chief.”