Raymond John Matelli
On January 4th, 2019, Raymond John Matelli, 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, June; son Guy and wife Barbara; daughter Joan and husband Rick; daughter Renee and husband Jeff; and grandchildren Stephanie, Raymond, Madeline, Helen, Nicholas, Grayson, Rory, and Cameron.
Born May 7th, 1924 and raised in Flushing, New York, he was the youngest of 4 children to Anthony and Helen Matelli. As a young man he joined the army and fought in WWII. He received many honorable medals but was most proud of the Silver Star he was awarded for his gallantry in action. After the war he returned home and attended NYU where he earned his BS in Industrial Engineering. Upon graduation, he was hired by Exxon and began his remarkable and successful 35 year career overseas. He worked in many amazing countries, some of which included Vietnam, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Indonesia. During this time he traveled and visited many different countries all over the world and met the love of his life, June, whom he married in Germany. He made many great friends and was loved and admired by all who knew him. He was given the nickname ‘the Godfather’ for the huge and impressionable presence he made on all.
From playing on the breathtaking golf course in Bali to taking hunting trips in the Sindh desert to deep sea fishing trips off the coast of Karachi, Ray’s love for golf, hunting, and fishing, was his favorite hobbies and a big part of his life. Most of all he will be remembered as a great patriot who loved God, family, and country first. He will be missed tremendously and will always hold a special place in our hearts. Rest in peace our dear one until we meet again in heaven.
A vigil will be held on Thursday, January 10 at 7PM, at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church in Clear Lake, Tx. The funeral service will be held Friday, January 11 at 10:30 AM at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, followed by a reception in the parish hall. He will be buried at the National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers you can send to St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church or make a donation to the VFW.
Deepest sympathies to June, Guy, Joanie and Renee and families .
Those we love don’t go away,
They walk beside us every day.
Unseen, unheard but always near,
Still lived, still missed and very dear.
Love and God’s blessings . RIP Ray. Elaine and Harry. Perth, Western Australia.
Our deepest condolences to Aunty June, Guy, Joanie, Renee and families. We are privileged to have known Uncle Ray. He was truly a great man of his generation who lived life to its fullest and was an inspiration to us all with his achievements and strength of character. The loving obitutiary from the family is testament to how much he adored life and family. Uncle Ray you are remembered and will be missed by all of us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Cheryl, Frank, Rebecca and Jordan. Perth, Western Australia.
Our deepest condolences to Aunty June, Guy, Joanie, Renee and families. We are privileged to have known Uncle Ray. He was truly a great man of his generation who lived life to its fullest and was an inspiration to us all through his achievements and strength of character. The loving obituary is testament to how much he adored life and his family. Uncle Ray you are remembered and will be missed by all of us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Cheryl, Frank, Rebecca and Jordan – Perth, Western Australia
Deepest sympathies
to June , Aunt June. Guy, Joanie, Renee and families.
A true gentleman and a fine man.
Ray will be sadly missed, but never forgotten.
Remembered forever in our hearts.
Love and God Bless.
Mavis & Averell Swiney
Perth , Western Australia.
With Deepest Sympathy
to June, Guy, Joanie, Renee and families. Ray carved out a special place in our hearts during those few years in Indonesia. We all carry special memories in that place.
May God hold him in his hand.
The Wyoming Borger clan…Rachel, Sarah, Pam and Tim
To Our special Uncle Ray our hearts are aching but our Love and Beautiful memories will be with us forever. Thank You for everything you did for our Family and especially me Janis for being like a Dad to me after Dad and Mum passed. My Love to you Aunty June, Guy, Joanie, Renee and all the Family. Uncle Ray’s Love will keep you Strong.
Love Janis Alby Pip Linford Bayley Wayne and Isaac🙏💜💙💋💋
Deepest condolences, a great person , but a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. I met him in in 1977 , in Malaysia. Where we bonded thanks to Guy. We got along because of his Italian blood. Great sense of humour, and I’ll never forget his smile and laugh. He shall be missed, but the memories will keep him alive in our hearts. When we will talk about him a happiness will be with us , that is what Ray was a positive energy, although not on earth anymore, his presence for what he left us will be always with us.
May God bless Him and His family.
Ciao Ray .
Our deepest sympathies to Aunty June, Guy, Joanne, Renee and families. Uncle Ray will always be remembered in our hearts. I will never forget the guidance, inspiration and wisdom Uncle Ray shared with me when ever we met .Our thoughts and prayers are with each one of you.
All our love, Debra, Ray, Lisa, Michael, Kaylee and Jessica.
Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Aunty June, Guy, Joanie, Renee and your families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Uncle Ray will be forever remembered and never forgotten.
Love, Lisa, Rohan and Liam xxx
Our thoughts and prayers are with June and the family. We were so very blessed to know Ray and enjoy his thoughtful friendship, his terrific wit and worldly wisdom. What a full, adventurous, charmed and dignified life he lived! And how blessed he was to have you all at his side.
Hit em straight up there Ray and I hope you cross paths with my dad. Watch out, he’s a sandbagger and a great putter!
Wishing all of you his strength as you journey on.
Peace/love,
The Cawley Family
Mrs. Matelli, Guy, Joan, and Renee and family: We are so sorry to hear of that Mr. Matelli passed away.
We remember the family and often speak about our days in Dacca Bangladesh.
I know this is a late condolence but our thoughts and prayers are with you.