Raymond G. "Ray" Candido

Mr. Raymond G. "Ray" Candido, age 82, of Clinton, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at the Siegenthaler Center under the care of Hospice, with his loving family by his side. Born in Utica on October 31, 1926, Ray was the son of the late Joseph R. and Mary Divina (DeFazio) Candido. Raised and educated locally, he was a graduate of T. R. Proctor High School Class of 1944. He pursued collegiate studies at Utica College of Syracuse University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1951. Ray was a member of the Greatest Generation and a disabled veteran of World War II. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1945-1946 stationed in the Philippines. In 1957 he married the former Jocelyn "Joy" Romano with whom he shared 32 years prior to her passing in July of 1989. Ray began in the transportation industry having worked for Gorea's Express and Oneida Motor Freight. In 1973, Ray acquired the Genesee Office Equipment Company, and together with his wife, operated the business until the store’s closing in 2002. He had a love and passion for the game of tennis and frequented the courts at MVCC, the Yahnundasis Country Club, and the Brookside Athletic Club. He was a member of both St. Mary of Mt. Carmel and Blessed Sacrament Parishs. Ray is survived by his daughters and son-in-law, Maria and Paul Leo of Syracuse, and Nina A. Candido of Clinton; and his son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Claudia Candido of Vermont. He was preceded by an infant son, Raymond Paul Candido, who passed away in 1963. He also leaves his grandchildren, Mark Leo, and Gabrielle Leo, both of Syracuse, Alison Kelly of Boston, MA, and Lauren Kelly of Clinton, and Hollee Candido of VT. Survivors also include his brother, Alfred Candido, Sr. of Utica, his nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and in-laws, F. Eugene and Loretta M. Romano. His greatest joys were his family and his valued friends. He was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Cora and William Campanaro; and his brothers and sisters-in-law, Joseph R. and Josephine Candido, Dominick Candido, Ann Candido, and Jeanne Romano. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Dr. David Petrie and Dr. Anthony Viglietta and the staff of the adult daycare center at the Rome VA clinic. Numerous remarkable people cared for Ray with great compassion, with special recognition of Hospice and Palliative Care. Inc. Visitation will be held Friday (today) from 4-7 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc. 932 South St. corner of Hammond Ave. By family request, please omit floral offerings. For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial donations in Ray’s honor to Hospice and Palliative Care of New Hartford; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Ray’s funeral service will commence on Saturday morning at 10:30 from the funeral home and at 11:30 at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Military Honors. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery.

Raymond G. "Ray" Candido

October 31, 1926 - June 16, 2009