Obituary of Raymond S. Cuddy

Raymond Stanislaus Cuddy died August 27, 2017 in his home after a long illness. Ray was born Aug. 28, 1934 in Washington D.C. the son of the late Raymond S. Cuddy Sr. and Mary Hilda (Carr) Cuddy of Auburn.

          He graduated in 1952 from Holy Family High School and then joined the United States Navy where he served until 1955. After the Navy, he attended Niagara University, and later bartended for a living.

          In 1960, Ray enlisted into the United States Marine Corps. He served three tours of duty in Vietnam and fought in the Battle of Khe Sanh. He was a true Marine and natural leader, earning the respect of his superiors, peers, and the men he oversaw.

          In 1961, he met and married Margaret Cecora. They raised five sons while they were stationed on various bases in the Pacific and the U.S. including the Philippines, Hawaii, Maryland and North Carolina. He served as a Gunnery Sergeant and after his tour in Vietnam, he was promoted to a commissioned officer. Ray retired as a 1st Lieutenant in 1976 and the family settled back to their hometown so their boys could go to school in Auburn.

          Ray worked as a liquor salesman for McKesson and Monarch Liquor Company. In 1985, his wife Margaret started Maggie’s Pies and Pasta and Ray helped run the business. Margaret passed away in 1994 and Ray sold the business in 1997. He finished his working career at Cuddy Financial Services at OLC of SLJs.

          Ray was a gentle man known for his sense of humor. From time to time he would occasionally forget the punch line of a joke, which somehow made it funnier. During his retirement, he could be found on the golf course or holding court with his friends on his front porch on Hamilton Avenue. He could be counted on in times of need and would do anything for his friends and family. His thirty-three year marriage to Margaret and his five sons were especially a source of great pride and joy for him.

          Ray was a member of the Marine Corps League, Knights of Columbus Council 207, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Utopia Club, SK Post, American Legion and the VFW. He was a former member of Auburn/Lakeview Country Club.

               Surviving are his wife Gloria Matro Cuddy with whom he enjoyed his final years; his children Daniel (Elizabeth) of Auburn, Mark (Michelle) of Redondo Beach, Calif., Matthew (Barbara) of Wilkes Barre, Pa., Michael (Kathleen) and Terrence (Beth), both of Auburn; grandchildren Bradley, Robert, Bridget, Marguerite, Georgia, Isabella, Quinntin, Alexandra, Liam, Joshua, James and John; Gloria’s children Renee and Doug Ward and Marshelle and Patrick Whelan and their children Maverick and Avery; sister-in-law Dorothea Cuddy; his father’s second wife Mary Arlene Cuddy; brother-in-law Alfred Zielonka; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

          He was predeceased by his loving wife Margaret Cecora Cuddy; his parents Raymond Sr. and Mary Hilda (Carr) Cuddy; two sisters Joan Zielonka and Jean Fitzpatrick; brother Michael Cuddy Sr.; sister- and brother-in-laws Bridget Colella, Joseph Colella Sr.and Joseph Fitzpatrick; and several nieces and nephews including Nora Cuddy, Anthony Colella, Diane Zielonka and Christine Pellow, and granddaughter Marki Jean Ward.

          The family wishes to extend its gratitude to all the health care aides and caretakers who helped Ray in his final months.

Calling hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart Church, 90 Melrose Rd., in Auburn. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at noon Thursday at Sacred Heart. Internment, with full military honors, will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Donations may be made to Holy Family Church Roof Repair Fund.