G. Richard Ramsay

G. Richard Ramsay, 70, of San Ysidro, CA, formerly of Springfield died on Thursday, December 1, 2005 at San Diego Healthcare in San Diego, CA of complications from cancer surgery. George was born on February 7, 1935 in Petersburg, IL the son of Wallace and Kathryn Tibbs Ramsay. Mr. Ramsay attended Cathedral Grade School, Feitshans Middle School and Springfield High School. He was assigned in 1951 to work for Adlai Stevenson by Western Union. He rode the nominated presidential train across Illinois with ticker tape stops at towns that were connected to Western Union. He spent a lot of time at The Mansion, Leland Hotel and Adlai Stevenson’s sister’s house. Mr. Ramsay moved out west and worked for Western Electric for twelve years. He spent 33 years in the restaurant industry, 15 years of which he worked management at Bobby McGee’s in Phoenix Arizona. He later owned a place in Springfield called Hippo’s. He moved and retired in 1995 to Baja Mexico where he again owned his own restaurant called Bahia Cantiles. He appeared in the movie Titanic in 1996 and went on to be in 29 movies including: Pearl Harbor and Ali, “DeedS”, and A.I., he also appeared as an actor in over 200 TV Shows including: Ali McBeal, NYPD Blue, E.R., West Wing, Scrubs, The Practice and Seinfeld. He was in the music video with Bono-U2 “Elevation” and many commercials including: H& R Block, Cadillac, Doritos and Pepsi. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army serving as a Specialist 4th Class assigned to a guided missile company. He will be surly missed by his many friends and employee’s from Illinois to California, Phoenix to Baja Mexico. They have lost a loving friend who passed thru this way and left his mark on his fellow human beings. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Brian Ramsay, daughter, Rhoda Ramsay; and sister, Kathleen Wollen. He is survived by two sons: Darren Ramsay of Phoenix, AZ; Jason Ramsay of Aliso Viejo, CA; one daughter: Paula Jezak of Huntington Beach, CA; three grandchildren: Amber Jezak, Mathew and Megan Ramsay; one sister: DeAnn (husband, Bob) Willis of Greenview; two brothers: Gene (wife, Georgia Ann) Ramsay of Springfield, Walter (wife, J.R.) Ramsay of Yuma, CA and many nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at Camp Butler National Cemetery with Fr. Chuck Edwards officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1305 Wabash, Suite J., Springfield, IL 62704. The family of G. Richard Ramsay is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.