Ray was born in East Meadow, and grew up in Copiague and Lindenhurst. He graduated from Lindenhurst High in 1998. A proud veteran, after graduation he joined the U.S. Army, and served his country for four years. He left New York for a time, living and working in Washington State. Ray returned home, working again in construction, and later served with Hunter EMS. He also served as a volunteer with the Copiague Fire Department.
“A guy who made everyone laugh”, and “a man with a big heart” is how his family describes Ray; and his stepson, Anthony, says his stepdad was ‘nice’. He would do anything for anyone, no matter what the time or day, dropping whatever he was doing to help in any way. A story that his mother remembers is how on the day of his own scheduled knee surgery, it had snowed; and Ray was out with his snowblower clearing all of his neighbors properties. His caring of others’ became such a prominent piece of his character, that he sought, and achieved his appointment as a Minister. Ray and his fiancée, Jennifer, had met and dated through High School. After graduation, they drifted away from each other and went on to different life paths. Fate, and love, would eventually, 20 years later, bring them back together; a story which all would say was a heartfelt love story.
Ray was a die-hard Giants fan, and loved playing video games, especially with his friend, John. A gun collector, he enjoyed getting out to do range-shooting. He loved to hunt upstate, getting out to fish ‘anywhere’ he could and also enjoyed cooking. As a regular at the Firehouse Deli in Bluepoint, the deli fondly in memory of Ray, named a sandwich after him called “The Walicki”.
Ray is survived by his beloved family – his mother, Jeanette Buehler; his fiancé, Jennifer; his aunts – Patti and Kenneth Brown and Betty and Pete Hunt; his stepson Anthony and stepdaughter, Nicci; and his cousins – Michael (Catherine) Brown, Kimberly Brown, Lori Brown, Kathleen (Bernie) Martinez, Ryan Krosecky and Whitney Brown.
Family and friends will gather at the funeral home on Monday, February 17th, from 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 18th, at 9:45 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption R.C. Church in Copiague. Interment, with Military Honors conducted by the U.S. Army Ceremonial Guard , will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.11.5