Obituary of Raymond J. "Rayko" Sinchak
Raymond John Sinchak, “Rayko”, 88, died Friday, March 25, 2022 at Lightways Hospice Joliet.
He was the “last man standing” in the large and loving Sinchak family. Born in Joliet on April 27, 1933 to Michael & Anna (Bubnas) Sinchak, who along with his 15 predeceased siblings, wife and countless others, welcomed him into heaven that day!
Ray lost his beloved Emma (DiDesiderio) 35 years ago and most felt it a mystery that he never remarried. However, he explained it to his children by saying, “I never married again because I never found another woman as wonderful as your mother!” He was a smart, hard-working, faith-motivated man who lived life with a family focus. A handsome guy who loved to dance, he and Emma graced the dance floor with an ease of movement that held many spellbound. In her absence, he was a favorite dance partner amongst the ladies at the Croatian Cultural Club! Anyone who knew Rayko, knew he could FIX anything, and he had the workshop envied by most (his garage)!
He was raised on the east side of Joliet and attended Ss. Cyril & Methodius and St. Mary Carmelite. He was recruited to play sports at Joliet Catholic High School and was a proud 3-sport “Hillmen”. He honorably served in the United States Navy. He was retired from Ironworkers Local #444 and Joliet School District #86. Rayko loved to fish, especially ice fish, and enjoyed reminiscing about his many fishing adventures in the backwaters of the Midwest’s tributaries and his adventures in Canada. He had a smile, some would call it a smirk, that told you more than any words ever could! If you came for a visit, he cracked a beer, offered you one, and sat with you on his bench swing for as long as you’d like to stay. In the past decade, he enjoyed the simple delights of morning coffee with the guys at the “Drunkin’ Donut”, watching the hummingbirds come and go from his many feeders, watching the TV “westerns” channel, tending his tomato garden and riding his lawn mower.
Surviving to cherish his memory are his 4 children, 4 grandsons and 2 great-grandchildren: In North Carolina, Desirée (the late Dave) Kettler, and their two sons, Ryan (Jessica) and their children Easton & Eloise and Paul; In Illinois: Raymond of Shorewood and Deidre of Joliet, and in Oregon, Dina (Nathan) Yuma and their sons Spencer and Connor. “Grandpa” enjoyed calls and FaceTime visits with all his grands and great-grands! After the pandemic separation, Ray and his family partied together last summer and made LOTS of beautiful memories. They are ALL so very grateful for that time together.
The large extended family created by Ray and his siblings means he leaves behind innumerable nieces, nephews all the way down to great-great-great-great nieces and nephews! Everyone loved Uncle Ray and will hold onto their special memories of him. Ray’s parents lost 3 toddler aged children he never knew, and was proceeded in death by the remaining 12 siblings, 5 brothers and 7 sisters: Andrew (Dodie), Anna (Tony) Svabik, Elizabeth (Steve) Jadron, George (Helen), Mary O’Keefe, Margaret (Winfield) McMillin, John (Ginger), Michael, Lucille Chess, Joseph, Helen (George) Zouganelis and Irene (Leadingham) Schomer.
Ray’s children would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Lightways Hospice for their ability to provide comfort care not only to their dad, but to them as well. Their knowledge, guidance and compassion provided a wonderful ease in this difficult transition. In Ray’s name, memorial contributions may be made to Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431, or https://lightways.org/donate/
The family will remember Ray’s life with friends and family on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 from 3:00-8:00 p.m. at Fred C. Dames, 3200 Black at Essington Roads, Joliet, IL. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home to Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, 604 N. Raynor Ave., Joliet, IL where a funeral mass to celebrate Ray’s new perfect, permanent life will be at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery on Cass Street in Joliet.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
