Obituary for Raye L. Mandirola
Raye. L Mandirola, 77, lifelong resident of Suffield, beloved husband to Barbara (Schiessl) Mandirola passed peacefully on January 30, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Hartford on April 12, 1946, he was the son of the late Arthur and Anna (Antonacci) Mandirola.
Raye attended Suffield High School, class of 1964, where he was a three-sport athlete and president of his class all four years. He went on to attend Sacred Heart University where he earned a Liberal Arts degree before starting to teach at St. Ann School in Hartford; a job he loved. He transitioned from teaching to working at Aetna in Hartford for 35 years, retiring in 2005 as the VP of Technology and Customer and Client Services. Raye also served in the National Guard after college.
Raye and his wife, Barbara, have been lifelong residents of Suffield. Raye loved his community and was proud to head the Suffield Recreation Department for several years. He also enjoyed coaching his children’s sports, including little league and basketball teams. He had a passion for skiing in Vermont and Colorado and took yearly trips to Vail. Raye enjoyed family vacations to Cape Cod, Maine, and Vermont with his granddaughters. He genuinely loved spending time with family, and his favorite role was Papa, always having story to tell about his girls. In retirement, Barb and Raye enjoyed traveling, both within the US and Europe, with Italy being their favorite.
Raye loved the outdoors, meeting his friends for breakfast, and spending time with his golf buddies. A tradition he loved was deer hunting and fishing in Vermont with his uncles, brother and nephews. He adored animals. He cared for his late son, Jeff’s beloved golden retriever Molly, and cats Charlie and Tony. He referred to them as his fury grandbabies.
Raye is survived by his wife of almost 54 years and his high school sweetheart, Barbara Mandirola of Suffield; predeceased by his dear son Jeff Mandirola (2018) of Suffield. He leaves daughter Jill O’Brien and her husband Chris of West Suffield; and two cherished granddaughters, Sophie and Maggie. Three nephews Todd and Jean Mandirola of Somers, Brian and Pam Mandirola of Suffield, and Scott and Becky Mandirola of W.V.; Three sisters-in-law, Terry Mandirola, Patricia Schiessl, Karen O’Keefe and her husband Gary and brother-in-law Peter Schiessl. Raye was also predeceased by his brother, Gary Mandirola.
Friends may call on Sunday, February 4, from 3:00-6:00 PM at the Heritage Funeral Home at 1240 Mountain Road, W. Suffield. Funeral Services will be on Monday, February 5 with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00AM at Sacred Heart Church, Suffield. Please meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation: www.T2T.org ; 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306; OR St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Po Box 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.
Online condolences please visit:www.SuffieldFuneralHome.com
Raye attended Suffield High School, class of 1964, where he was a three-sport athlete and president of his class all four years. He went on to attend Sacred Heart University where he earned a Liberal Arts degree before starting to teach at St. Ann School in Hartford; a job he loved. He transitioned from teaching to working at Aetna in Hartford for 35 years, retiring in 2005 as the VP of Technology and Customer and Client Services. Raye also served in the National Guard after college.
Raye and his wife, Barbara, have been lifelong residents of Suffield. Raye loved his community and was proud to head the Suffield Recreation Department for several years. He also enjoyed coaching his children’s sports, including little league and basketball teams. He had a passion for skiing in Vermont and Colorado and took yearly trips to Vail. Raye enjoyed family vacations to Cape Cod, Maine, and Vermont with his granddaughters. He genuinely loved spending time with family, and his favorite role was Papa, always having story to tell about his girls. In retirement, Barb and Raye enjoyed traveling, both within the US and Europe, with Italy being their favorite.
Raye loved the outdoors, meeting his friends for breakfast, and spending time with his golf buddies. A tradition he loved was deer hunting and fishing in Vermont with his uncles, brother and nephews. He adored animals. He cared for his late son, Jeff’s beloved golden retriever Molly, and cats Charlie and Tony. He referred to them as his fury grandbabies.
Raye is survived by his wife of almost 54 years and his high school sweetheart, Barbara Mandirola of Suffield; predeceased by his dear son Jeff Mandirola (2018) of Suffield. He leaves daughter Jill O’Brien and her husband Chris of West Suffield; and two cherished granddaughters, Sophie and Maggie. Three nephews Todd and Jean Mandirola of Somers, Brian and Pam Mandirola of Suffield, and Scott and Becky Mandirola of W.V.; Three sisters-in-law, Terry Mandirola, Patricia Schiessl, Karen O’Keefe and her husband Gary and brother-in-law Peter Schiessl. Raye was also predeceased by his brother, Gary Mandirola.
Friends may call on Sunday, February 4, from 3:00-6:00 PM at the Heritage Funeral Home at 1240 Mountain Road, W. Suffield. Funeral Services will be on Monday, February 5 with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00AM at Sacred Heart Church, Suffield. Please meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation: www.T2T.org ; 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306; OR St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Po Box 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.
Online condolences please visit:www.SuffieldFuneralHome.com