Raymond C. Colucci

Ray Colucci of Mamaroneck, NY and Laurel, Long Island passed away on Wednesday evening at the Nyack Manor Nursing Home in Rockland County, NY. He had a long fight with Parkinson’s disease but managed to live a robust life despite this malady. He was 86 years old. Born on June 24, 1926 to Amadeo and Ida Colucci of New York, he was married on August 7, 1949 following his service to his country in the armed forces. Raymond married Barbara Sohier of the Bronx; the love of his life. She passed away November of 2004. He is the last child of Ida and Amadeo to leave us. Rose, Eugene, George, and Alfred all predeceased him. His son Robert, daughter-in-law Marianne, and his step-daughters Christine and Debra and son-in-law Bohdan Batorfalvy, Ray’s daughter Laura, and son-in-law Thomas Allison and their children Thomas, Jr. and Kerri survive him. Ray will be remembered as a professional who helped pioneer dry cleaning; a new technology of its day. He and his brothers along with their father owned at the time the largest dry cleaning store in the Bronx, Colucci and Sons Dry Cleaners. After his graduation from Fashion Institute of Technology, he launched a sales and marketing career and finally acceding to the position of Vice President of marketing at Rheem Textile from which he retired in the 90’s. He continued as a writer and consultant to the fabricare industry. “Speaking Out” was one of his recurring articles appearing in the Drycleaner’s News. He was world traveler with multiple trips to the Baltic States, Russia, and Europe especially Bologna, Italy from where he imported new and better dry cleaning technology to meet the new environmental standards of today. Raymond is best known though for his great sense of humor and his ability to see most things from a different perspective. His innovative approach to most challenges gained him the respect of his peers and the love of his family, nieces, nephews, and friends. He instilled an appreciation for the beauty of life to all of us and gave us a chance to laugh a little more. His family will be present to receive friends and loved ones at Whalen and Ball Funeral Home, 168 Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10703 from 4PM to 9PM, Friday, July 20th. His funeral mass will be held at the Monastery Church of the Sacred Heart at 110 Shonnard Place in Yonkers at 9:30 Saturday, July 21st. Call 914-965-5488 for additional information.

Whalen and Ball Funeral Home

168 Park Avenue

Yonkers, New York 10703

914-965-5488

www.whalenandballfh.com