Raymond Paul Gustave, 71, of West Wyoming, passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at Celtic Hospice Inpatient Unit.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, Ray was the middle son of the late Fred and Hattie Witt Gustave and graduated from Coughlin H.S., class of '64.
A Vietnam veteran, he served in the U.S. Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller, receiving the U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal for his service in Vietnam.
He graduated from Wilkes College, married his best friend and dancing partner of 44 years, the former Donna Duzen, and then began his career in Federal service.
After moving his family to Centreville, VA, he became Chief of the Financial Management Branch of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Office
of Nuclear Regulatory Research. While there, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Award in Administrative Excellence as well as numerous other awards.
Ray devoted over 20 years to community service while living in VA, being deeply involved in land use and other community issues. Upon retiring, Ray and Donna moved to West Wyoming where he served as Borough Manager for two years.
He was a man of deep faith and extremely involved in his parish, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and as a member of the Altar Guild. He enjoyed making pirohy and kreple for food sales and summer bazaars.
He was also a life member of VFW Post 4909, Dupont.
In addition to his beloved wife, Donna, Ray is survived by two daughters that he loved beyond words and their families: Hilary (William) Browning, CO, and Ashley (Shon) McManus, MD, and step-granddaughter, Katelynd McManus.
His young granddaughter, Madeleine Browning, brought him incredible joy even on his most difficult days.
He leaves behind two brothers: Dr. Fred (Rhonda) Gustave, IL, and Ken (Terri) Gustave, Pringle, as well as sister-in-law Paula (Frank) Matthews, Swoyersville, Aunts Geri Witt, Irene Smith, "Aunt Val", along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family would like to thank all those who provided excellent care, especially Medical Oncology Associates and Celtic Hospice. His 'prayer warriors', who lifted him up, had a special place in his heart.
Memories are sacred and eternal.
Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation on Friday from 4-7pm at the Gubbiotti Funeral Home, 1030 Wyoming Ave., Exeter.
Funeral services will be on Saturday at 9:30am from the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 116 Hughes St., Swoyersville. The Rev. Joseph J. Pisaneschi, pastor, will be celebrant.
Interment will be in St. John's Slovak Cemetery, Schooley St., Exeter
Memorial donations may be made to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish 116 Hughes St., Swoyersville, Pa. 18704 or to the AmVets Honor Guard, C/o Gerard Gurnari, ICO AMVETS, 111 Lidy Rd,, Dupont, Pa. 18641
To send the family an expression of sympathy or an online condolence, please visit www.gubbiottifh.com
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