Ode to Tito Ray (Part 3)
by Rosette Simonton

Tito Ray remains in me and each person he loved, although he will be dearly missed. After all, he’s not just one in a million but more like one in 10 billion.  He’s really irreplaceable - there will never be anyone like him.

I take comfort in knowing… that because of his strong faith and true love for God and others, Tito Ray has entered His Father's House. He has entered into His Master's joy in the mansion that has been prepared for him!  For that, I have hope and take part in his joy.

On behalf of my brothers and sisters,  my parents, aunties, and cousins, I’m thankful for you, Tito Ray, and your entire family whom you shared with us - for all the fond memories and your love. I’m so glad many of these sentiments were expressed in our relationship.

The De Jesus family means so much to us.  We will always carry you in our hearts and prayers. We love you very much.

I’m thankful to God for blessing us with Tito Ray’s life, and for every grace that he will continue to obtain for us from heaven.
—
"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never ever the same."
⁃ Flavia Weedn

An Ode to Tito Ray (Part 2)
by Rosette Simonton

The scripture passage below it became a source of consolation in my time of mourning.

It says…
O, all ye that pass by the way, attend, and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow. Lam 1:12

Though I didn't feel this deep sorrow before, I realized then how Mother Mary's sorrows will always be greater than mine. The gaping hole Tito Ray left... he filled it with himself later in time.

I realized how much Tito Ray will always be with me, because he had been a part of me all along...  I didn’t think much of it before - how I like the beach, cuz he and Tita Eb used to haul all of us kids; how I tap to the music in the car as he did when he took us places; how it's ok to laugh heartily like he did cuz you’re happy; that it's also ok to wear ur heart on your sleeve because it’s good to be yourself; and that a relationship with God is a treasure and joy.

“We didn’t have internet,” cousin Aaron put it, as we talked about childhood memories on Coleman Court…  So Tito Ray’s introduction to mind bending 1000 piece puzzles had to be added to our collection of activities like playing outside, going to the park, board games, and making home videos.  He showed us that we can appreciate the learning, music, and the deeper aspects of life while maintaining a lighthearted attitude.

He was patient, kind, humble, intellectual, thoughtful, caring, joyful, generous, inclusive, faithful, and loving.  He was always teaching, often not in the way of words but by the authenticity of his life and example.

I love that I can see many things that I do or like because of his influence.

I’ve come to realize Tito Ray became a gift of Christ's Mystical Body in spirit now within me… In the same way that Jesus left His brokenhearted friends when He ascended into Heaven, Jesus remained with them. In scripture Jesus said, "Remain in Me as I remain in You." Jn 15:4

(continued)

An Ode to Tito Ray (Part 1)
by Rosette Simonton

Long before the word “influencer” was in anyone’s vocabulary, Tito Ray was already one. He was a jovial first cousin to my mom and her sisters. He was an uncle to me, but he was also more than that - he was a mentor, a friend, a post-college roommate, and he took on a big brother role in my life.
 
Being the oldest of seven, I felt that Tito Ray looked after me and my siblings like an older brother would.  He was the one who helped us with homework and gave us sound advice on anything when we were young. He took us to the movies, the beach, the Padres game, Cabrillo Monument, Sea World, his college @UCSD, LA and of course he took us to Holy Mass.  If u didn’t go to Mass yet that Sunday, u would actually be glad, cuz u get the special privilege to go with him.

Tito Ray and I had many conversations about life and God. He never flinched to talk about spiritual things even as we grew older and were apart over phone calls or texts.

Because of this closeness, Tito Ray’s passing caused a kind of sorrow I had never known before.  This sorrow felt as though there was a gaping hole in my heart.

The long MLK weekend I had hoped to visit San Diego, Tito Ray had already gone... So I dropped my youngest son, Nate, for a visit with his older brother @UCSB that weekend. I spent a night in Santa Barbara to find that Our Lady of Sorrows Church is the only one closeby with a Saturday morning Mass @7AM.

After Mass, I prayed a Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Mother's statue known as The Pieta. The Pieta depicts an image of the Blessed Mother sorrowfully holding Jesus in her arms after he had been taken down from the cross.
(continued)

He said as soon ch a light and happy fellow.  I was blessed to have a few lunches here I Sacramento area while Juliet was taking nursing classes.  My heart is so sad that he left us so young.  Much love to you Jukes and Jake .  Wished I could’ve made the services

Ray had a ready smile and a happy-to-see-you spark which shone from his face and demeanor like a “ray” of sunshine.

I still remember Ray and Juliet’s gala wedding, then they went on to continue living a full life with a lot of happiness.

Ray’s enthusiastic living and caring is an inspiration.

In loving memory of my FAVORITE Godbrother Ray de Jesus. 
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  

I will always remember when you and the family visited me in Maui!  What a great time we all had!!!!

Please say hi to the family in Heaven!  I know you all are having a great party there and watching us from above!!!

Aloha from Mom and your Favorite Godsister Jeanne Guanzon

OBITUARY

Raymund Thaddeus de Jesus

20 November, 1964 – 9 January, 2024

Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary

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