PrairieRaymond C. Parent
1942 - 2018
Raymond C. Parent, 75 of Pleasant Prairie, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Tuesday, July 17, 2018.
Born in Bessemer, Mich. on Sept. 19, 1942, he was the son of the late Harvey and Irene (Wirpio) Parent. He was a 1962 graduate of Mary D. Bradford High School and received his Machine Operator Certification from Gateway Technical College.
On Aug. 24, 1968 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Diana Blaziewske.
He was employed with Kenosha Unified School District as a Maintenance Mechanic until his retirement in 2000.
Ray was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and sang in the church choir. He also was a member of the Danish Brotherhood Lodge #14.
Ray was an expert in small engine repair and woodworking. He proudly built the family home and added many special features. Ray loved polka music, playing guitar; bass and banjo and he played in many bands. He enjoyed golf, gardening, feeding the birds and was a Packer fan. Ray loved world traveling with family and friends.
Ray will be remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He especially loved his grandchildren and enjoyed attending their sporting events.
He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 50 years, Diana Parent; his children, Denise (Jody) Hammond and Keith (Dave Cyrulik) Parent; his grandchildren, Gavin Ray, Gwen and Mitch; his siblings, James (Kathy) Parent, Karen (Martin) Kepper and Roger (Cheryl) Parent; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Funeral services honoring Ray's life will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 7104 39th Avenue. Interment will follow in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park. A visitation for Ray will be held at the Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home on Friday, July 20 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. and at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church on Saturday, July 21, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances to Hospice Alliance, Inc., 10220 Prairie Ridge Blvd., Pleasant ,
Milton Hagopian
So sorry to here of Ray's passing. May you RIP Ray.
John Sturino
Remember Ray playing guitar, I think it was the swing band or something like that. Good musician, great guy!
Bernard Covelli
Sorry to hear of Ray's passing. I remember him as a quiet guy with a dry sense of humor. My sympathies to his family.Cherie Krohn (Ketchum)
Don't remember Ray from school, but he married a second or third cousin of mine. Condolences to Diane and the family.
James Szantor
Ray was a wonderful person and a fine bass player. R.I.P., Raymond.
Rita Martino (Ginocchio)
I wish I could say I remember Ray but try as I might, I don't. However, reading all of his fine accomplishments and the wonderful family he had, it seems he was a great husband, dad and granddad and lived a full and happy life. My condolences to his family. I'm certain he will be dearly missed.Mary Irving (Jurgaitis)
I echo Rita's comment. There were so many in our class. Just couldn't get to know all of them... Maybe a passing in the hall now and then.I DO appreciate being able to read the obituary, most often created by a loving family member telling of the life of the special person in their life, as was done for Ray. Even though I didn't know him, I'm happy to be able to claim him as one of my classmates. May all who were touched by his life, find joy, peace, and comfort in their memories of him.
Peter Gentile
Remembering Ray from our days in Swing Band and his awesome intro to the Peter Gunn theme song.Kate (Kathy) McAleer
I did not know Ray at all but I just heard that he played the intro to Peter Gunn and I wish I could have let him know how proud I felt when the Kenosha H.S. Band joined the A Capella choir in Windsor Ontario during my senior year. I think they were marching in a Dominion Day parade. All of a sudden marching toward us came that spectacular sound: beginning eith the intro to Peter Gunn. I get chills thinking about it all these years later. RIP Ray. You were unknown to me but admired nonetheless.