Raymond J Szada

April 12, 1927 – November 1, 2012

Ray was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 – 1946 as a Gunners Mate 3rd Class. He received the Philippine Liberation Medal, the Atlantic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. After his discharge he returned to Wisconsin and attended engineering school and became an electrician. He worked for Ladish Drop Forge Company and continued his education becoming an Industrial Maintenance Engineer. He married his first wife Esther and built his first home. Every winter he battled pneumonia and his doctor advised him to move to a milder climate. Ray packed up his wife and two children and moved to California. He landed a job at Lockheed, where he worked for 20 years working his way up to Senior Quality Assurance Analyst at the time of his retirement. His wife passed away and in 1980 he married Eleanor Hamilton.

He was a member of the Metallurgical Society, a life member of the San Fernando Elks and a life member of Lions Clubs International. He was a member of the Toluca Lake Lions Club which he joined on March 1, 1981. As a Lion he served in all the club offices and district offices becoming District Governor in 1996 – 1997.

Ray was enthusiastic and passionate about the Lions. He and Eleanor raised puppies for Canine Companions. He was president of Rose Float Inc. and encouraged everyone to participate in decorating the Rose float every year. He was a mentor to many Lions, encouraging them to learn all they could by attending region metings, conventions and USA/Canada forums

Ray was preceded in death by his parents and sister Delores Cerniglia. He leaves his wife of 32 years Eleanor, son Ken Szada, daughter Christina Usedom, grandson Robert Usedom, stepson Orrie Hamilton III, brother Richard Szada (Kathy), niece Julie Husted, niece Cindy Congemi, nephew Todd Szada, nephew Timothy Szada