12.31.1970 ~ 03.17.2025
Irish Goodbye:
It's a slang term for abruptly leaving a social event without formally saying goodbye to the host or other attendees.
And that is my friends, exactly how he departed this world. From the moment he was born on December 31st, 1970 (the last baby born in 1970 as he liked to remind everyone) to Charlene Smith & Raymond Elliott Sr., Ray was the life of the party. It only makes sense that he would leave his final party, surrounded by loved ones, without bothering to say goodbye. Let's face it, a good party never truly ends. Did we mention it was on St. Patrick's Day? Fitting right? He left on his terms on his favorite day.
Now we could BS you and say all the generic things people normally say in obituaries, but we think the truth is much more enjoyable.
Ray was a people person, and by that we mean, everyone was fair game for poking fun at. You could spend hours preparing your best comedic material and he would still look you dead in the eyes (too soon?) and say, “I’ll tell the jokes around here”. Oh, and let us not forget the time that the police brought him AND the dog home in the same cruiser. He always joked he wanted to be face down, a** up at his funeral, but the only time he’s ever been in that position was when he fell 10 feet off our deck. He loved Rocky & Michael Meyers (ask him about the time that stupid white mask got him poked in both eyes). He left us with so many stories and memories, some so crazy you would have had to live it to believe it. Ray lived more in his 54 years than most do in a lifetime.
He was a Jack (and ass) of all trades. He loved fishing, golfing, busting balls, and making people laugh. He was the toughest patient, keeping his nurse; Ana, Dr. Jenn, and the rest of their brave team at Midstate Medical Center on their toes with his “raunchy jokes” and stories. You know the ones that make you hold your breath and say a quick little prayer because you’re not sure how offensive they’ll be? Those ones.
Ray had a “Shit List” that was easier to get on than stay off. Offenses that would get you on the list are, but not limited to, forgetting to say thank you after he helped you out, convincing him to bring you to the amusement park, pay, and then telling him you’re too afraid of the rides, leaving a fork in the couch cushion for him to sit on, finishing his pop-tarts, and “borrowing” his truck for joyrides.
He loved “My Way” by Sinatra, which is ironic really.
It goes:
… And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way
… and like every good wife, she would say “Yes Ray, look where that got you!”
(In a few urns in case you were wondering)
But enough with our dark humor (for now). Ray leaves behind his best friend & wife of 25 wild years, Lisa, his four children Marissa (Joe), Shane, Marlena, & Noah as well as his three beautiful granddaughters Olivia, Mia, & Madison who were the light of his life and loved almost as much as his beloved Nate dog. He also leaves behind his sisters Lisa (Krissy) and Tina, his mother and father-in-law Marge & Joe, as well as his nieces and nephews, countless friends and family members. He was predeceased by his parents, grandparents, and his favorite four-legged child, Nate.
If you’d like to say a prayer, say one for the angels because not even they are safe from his wise cracks. Ray will be greatly missed and forever loved. So, raise your glass of choice for him today, tomorrow and every St. Patrick’s Day, he would love that.
Forever in our hearts.
Slainte.
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