Ray Perez

A Visitation for Ray was held Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel in Longmont followed by a Celebration of Ray's Life. Ray was laid to eternal rest with his beloved wife in Committal Service on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at Foothills Gardens of Memory in Longmont and a Gathering of Family & Friends was held at the Moose Lodge in Longmont. Ray's family greatly appreciates all those that were able to attend to pay their respects and to celebrate Ray's life. View Ray's photo tribute at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yyw7WQaPBzzV-JIn3ihqypAPbBcebPf6/edit

As I was thinking of what to say about our Dad, I thought, if you had to describe my father and just use one word, what would it be? The answer was easy, humble. He was an extraordinary type of father.

The magic of my parents’ relationship was their love of life and family. Music was in our everyday lives, that and food, dancing, celebrating life. As far back as we all can remember, Sunday mornings were filled with the music, old standards, now rock and roll, romantic ballads on the radio or record player, and dad making breakfast while mom made tortillas. And with a quick grab of my mom’s waist, her and dad were dancing around the room, like two lovers on a date. Life was so simple, but hard work and my dad’s dedication to have a successful life and family, were always his top priorities. That and old fashioned tv westerns, it was his favorite guilt pleasure.

Ray was a pioneer in the 60’s and 70’s in Longmont. Dad was a migrant farmer from Texas. On one of the harvests seasons my father met my mother harvesting potatoes, they were teenagers. They married very young, just 19 and 20 years old. Dad held many jobs when we were young. From the foundry in Longmont, to the original JC Penny’s on Main street as manager of the shoe department, then Gambles for a number of years as assistant manager. Then in the 70’s dad became the first Hispanic policeman for the City of Longmont, then got a job at IBM where he retired as a Sr. buyer. He was a jack of many trades and taught us all so much. He could fix anything!

Dad taught all of his children to be independent and self-reliant. He taught us all how to change a tire, change the oil in a car, he even taught my sisters. He taught us all so many things. Just this week, as I was getting dressed and tying my shoes, I burst into tears, my dad taught me how to tie my shoes, I will never forget his patience in doing that.

My dad’s talents are present in my brother and nephews and niece. They all have Dad’s handsome looks, his street smarts, and even more, his dedication to family. Dad worked very hard, sometimes 3 or 4 jobs at a time, but he wanted the best for his family, that only comes from hard work, every day. I think my dad’s greatest talent, was that of grandfather and great-grandfather. Every grandchild born into this family were captivated by his voice, his touch, his love. He was a pied-piper with every single one. Papa was his moniker. And he loved the title.

Our father has been a true saint over the years for all of us. His love for his wife was something out of a romantic novel, and yet it was real life, every day, here in Longmont Colorado. Dad was always been an inspiration. The love and care for our mom over the past years of her failing health was boundless. You have taught us what true love looks like, acts like, and it is a very rare sight to behold. We love you dad, thank you for teaching us so much.

Being a grandfather was one Dad’s greatest pleasures. He was always so proud of all of his grandchildren. Thank you to my niece Tessa and nephews Dom, Josh, Jonah, and Sammy for loving Papa and visiting him as often as you could after Mimi passed, it meant so much, this includes Aurora, Shelbi, and Brady, we all appreciate it. Dad felt his life was complete when his great-granddaughter arrived into our family, Little Adie. Her light was what has kept my dad with us since mom died. He has seen his family grown full circle now, he was content to leave this world behind with his little angel Adie, here on Earth.

We know many of you have been with us as a family on our parents’ journey. Your friendship, love, and casseroles have been such sweet comfort for our family, thank you. We want to thank our Tias and Tios, my dad’s very large Perez family, especially his sisters and the Castillo family. Dad has been the Patron of the entire Perez family for many, many years. He loved his sisters and brothers and was the best big brother they could ask for. Also, our mom’s family, especially Aunt Lucy who was always checking on dad after mom died, as well as Aunt June and Uncle Bill. We appreciated the devotion.

Our parents have always had an extraordinary support group of friends, and we want to thank you publicly, Lucy, Jim, Marlene, Jerry, Pauline, Sharon, Julieann, and Larry. A special thanks to Chris Capaldi, he had become Dad’s best friend these past few years, both of them sharing their grief of losing the love of their lives, while hustling the pool table at Atria. Chris was the one to find our dad after he passed quietly and peacefully in his home, they lived next door to each other and often dined with the group of friends they had made at Atria.

Lastly, we want to thank all of dad’s care givers, including Dr. Bersant, Dr. Brian Hughes and his staff, and the staff at Atria. Also, to the Ahlberg’s for your care and comfort with our family over the years, bless all of you.

One of dad’s favorite saying was “Gotta go, gotta be, gotta do!” as the rallying cry to getting things done. We heard it often growing up. That was the way he lived his life. We ask you to remember that amazing man who always had a smile, loved his family and celebrated an extraordinary life. If you are sitting here today, we know he touched your life in some way, and we appreciate your being with us today to celebrate a Beautiful Life. We invite you to share your kind words and memories of our dad, thank you.