Raymond Ray"" Nicholas Giunta

Raymond “Ray” Nicholas Giunta, 98, of Farmington, beloved husband for 71 years of Frances “Fran” (Turek) Giunta, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 25, 2017. Born in Hartford on February 24, 1918, he was the son of the late Matteo and Laura (Houle) Giunta. He retired as Chief Warrant Officer-3 from the Navy after proudly serving for 20 years on several ships, including the USS Anderson DD411, the USS Reid 369, and the USS Claxton DD571. Ray was a graduate from the Ward Technical College of the University of Hartford and went on to become an Electrical Engineer for UTC Hamilton Standard. He was never so proud as to have been selected last year as a delegate to represent WWII Veterans and travel to Washington under the Wounded Warriors Project. He was a true Renaissance man and like St. Joseph, he was a carpenter who built his own home and took great pride in harvesting his tomatoes from seed. Ray was an avid reader, coin collector, New York Yankees fan and a man of great faith. Big hearted and benevolant, he and Fran were passionate donors to the Church, Navy and numerous charitable causes that were dear to them. Ray was always a gentleman, well respected and loved by all who knew him. Ray is survived by a sister-in-law, Dorothy Giunta of MA; nieces and nephews, Anita Zakrzewski and Theresa Zakrzewski of Rocky Hill, Barbara Zakrzewski of Vernon, Diane Bonin of Enfield, Michael Zoppa of East Hartford, Andrea Reffler of RI, Michael Giunta of MA, Laura Giunta of VA, Christina Langlois of NH and Marie Giunta of VA. He will also be missed by his special friend, Al Tee. He was predeceased by three sisters, Antoinette Giunta, Rina Zakrzewski and Rita Zoppa; two brothers, Pierre and Alma Giunta and his nephew, John Giunta. Special thanks to the staff at Village Gate and Dr. Dean and his staff at the Veterans Hospital.

Funeral services will be on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at The Church of St. Helena, 30 Echo Lane, West Hartford. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Family and friends may call on Friday from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Donations in Ray’s memory may be made to the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Fund, 864 Wethersfield Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114. To share a memory of Ray with his family, please visit www.desopo.com.