Raymond E. Zaporowski

Raymond E. Zaporowski was known as many things to many people. He was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew him best, Raymond will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

      Raymond was born on August 14, 1935 delivered by a midwife at home in Omaha Nebraska. He was the son of Elizabeth and Joseph Zaporowski. Raymond grew up in Omaha Nebraska.

Raymond was raised with two brothers, two sisters. Brothers Chester and Lawrence sisters Helen and Lorraine. He was very close to all of them.

      As a young boy, Raymond's nickname was goodsey which in polish means mischievous. Raymond was always proud of his polish heritage. He was a good cook, he loved polish specialties. He made the best polish sausage and scrambled eggs.

      Always considered a “good” friend to those he knew.. Raymond made friends quickly. Some of his friends included Earl, Poopie , Ron and John.

      Raymond worked hard to be a good father to his children and he did his best to fulfill their needs. Family was everything to him. He always provided for his family and had a strong work ethic He had a very good sense of humor, always able to make someone smile or laugh.

Raymond had served in the Navy.. He enjoyed working on cars, fixing things around the house , listening to music. He loved listening to the big Joe polka show every Sunday morning. Later in life he and mom would watch big Joe every Saturday He loved watching football favorite teams were Nebraska , New England and Kansas City. Ray was a huge Cubs baseball fan. He supported St Jude's. He was also an advocate for those who have autism.

      Raymond’s faith was important to him. He belonged to Joseph husband of Mary Catholic Church in Las Vegas Nevada,

He and his wife enjoyed traveling to several places.

      Raymond pets included. Hanz his dog, Rufus the cat, and Charlie his dog.

       After retiring Raymond found a part time job as a crossing guard he very much enjoyed this.

      Simply stated, Raymond was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Raymond leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories He was one of a kind and will be missed forever.. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember Raymond E. Zaporowski.

And with your final heartbeat

Kiss the world goodbye

Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and

Fly to Jesus

Fly to Jesus

Fly to Jesus and live!

Fly to Jesus

Fly to Jesus

Fly to Jesus and live! - love you so much dad, patsy

Dad, As I sit here and think of you my heart is breaking from missing you so much. When I start to feel sad I just go back to all the memories I have of you and the way you could make us all laugh. The way you would come out of the bathroom from getting ready in the morning and still have the q-tip in your ear, or how there was to much static in the dryer and a sock would be stuck to your shirt. You could also make me laugh even in my hardest times. I always Could talk to you about anything and you were always there to comfort me. To me you were the best daddy any girl could ever ask for. I cannot wait to see you and mom again someday and give you guys the biggest hugs ever until hen I will pray for you and miss you terribly. Love you Daddy's little girl (Karen)

Ray, I will always be thankful to you. You treated me as a Son instead of a son-in-law. You taught me how to take care of my family, how to love m family and how to rot ect my family. If there s such a thing a as reincarnation I can only hope that I will be with you all again. Love and miss you. Roger Worthington

Dad,

I want to share one of my favorite memories of you. It was the day before my surgery and my strong never show too much emotion father showed up at my job with one single rose and asked me if you could take me to lunch. You told me that day everything would be OK and for the next five years, because that was the gold standard for cancer not coming back, you called me on that day to tell me everything was going to be OK. You helped me get through one of the toughest times in my life and I want you to know how much that meant to me.

I am also very grateful for the week we spent together during your first week of chemotherapy; I am grateful for the long talks we had and the memories and stories you shared with me. I miss your teasing most of all; and yes Dad I am still chanting for you! I love and miss you and will see you on the other side.

Your daughter Barbara

Ray,

I remember the first time we met in Omaha.

You were a union leader/ organizer, and I was a young man from California starting a career in management.We were at opposite ends of the spectrum.

As we met on  several occasions to discuss union matters and sharing ideas in the industry that we both came from,  I got to know you better and  quickly realized that your greatest joy in life was your family.

I will never forget being accepted and feeling welcome when I started to date your daughter that we both shared a strong love for.

You made it clear to me what a wonderful and special  person she was and how lucky I was to be with her.

Ray, you were absolutely right about your daughter, she is special.

I miss you and will always remember the conversations and advice you gave me in my career and life.

I can only say that you were like a father to me, in the love  and respect you showed me and  my family.

Miss and love you and always in my thoughts, Jaime

Dad,

There are so many memories I have of you. I do know that through all the bad times in my life, I always knew I could pick up the phone and call you,

Even though you couldn't fix it you somehow always made me feel so much better. Even to this day I have you in my phone and I know I can't call you but I somehow feel secure,

I am so grateful for the week we shared before you passed and all the talks and laughs we had.

But I also knew how lonely you were and how you cried for Mom every nite, I could hear you down the hall.

I miss you so much and think about you often but I have to believe you are happy and in no more pain now,

Love,

Loretta

Grandpa,

I am so glad that in our short time together I was able to call you grandpa. I have so many memories of you sharing wisdom and stories with me, laughing and joking together, you helping shape the man I am today. Oh and of course sneaking and making some sausage and eggs to sit down and eat with me even when grandma was yelling from the other room "Ray, dot you eat any of that sausage!"

It's so funny how the little moments in life seem so small at the time but are the fabric that makes us who we are. You taught me so much and showed me love no matter what, it didn't matter if i was a little terror running from snakes in grandma's garden or some punk kid who thought I was tough, or just sad because life threw me some problems, I knew I could always turn to you and grandma. Until the end you were there for me and when Dylan came you were there for him too, threatening to beat up Santa if he didn't give Dylan what he wanted for Christmas. For all that I will always love you and always have those memories to cherish with my son.

This is going to sound crazy to anyone reading this but, thank you grandpa for setting me straight that night I was having some trouble. I know that was you, and I won't ever forget that lesson.

On a side note, Cubs won for you and Grandma finally.

Love TJ

Dad,

It is still hard for me to comprehend that you're gone. I still want to pick up the phone and call you. I miss chatting with you about nothing and everything. It gave me great comfort in knowing that you would help me out no matter what. I try to do that with my children now. Even though i didn't know it at the time, you taught me a lot about how to be a good father. Thank you.

You also taught me to have a sense of humor. Everyone remembers that about you. It's funny how a little levity can break through some tense situations. Some of the biggest belly laughs of my life were with you and mom. It still brings a smile to my face after all these years. I always remember when we took the boat to Branched Oaks. We had just put the boat in the water and you were parking the truck. I called to you from the sinking boat that you had forgotten the plug. I can still see and hear you cursing as you ran back to the truck, We never had a lot of money but we always had a lot of fun. Thank you.

I will never forget what a big influence you were in Nicole's life. You and mom spent countless weekends taking her places and letting her spend the night. You showed how big a man's heart can be. She still keeps photo albums with pictures of you in them and cries when she thinks about you and mom in heaven. You helped her so much. Thank you.

I hope to see you again and shake your hand and give you a hug and reminisce. Until then, know that you are loved and never forgotten.

Your son,

Larry

Dad,

There are so many memories of you that just make my heart so happy and all which make me smile. You could always make me laugh, I miss that so much.. I miss seeing my phone say text from dad coming in. I think about all you did for us,going to a job sometimes two jobs to make sure we had what we needed. I was always so proud of you. You were our dad the greatest! I loved always going to church with you, showing me the example of faith it was has helped me to cope with your loss. I am so blessed to have spent Christmas with you before you went with mom. When you hugged me goodbye I felt it Dad that you knew your time was near. I wished I would've never let you go. I know you missed mom so much. I have so many wonderful cherished memories of you ,mom and I.I don't regret a minute of the time I spent with you both. There is no where else that I felt so safe.. I also know how blessed I am that the week you passed every day before you and I spoke on the phone. I felt your love for me Dad. I know realize how hard it was for you to show emotion sometimes. I was just as close to you as I was mom. You may be out of my sight but forever in my heart. I will see you and mom in heaven. Love you always, patsy xoxo

Grandpa,

Looking back I have so many fond memories of spending time with you and Grandma. It feels like only a short time ago I was just a kid heading over to your place for visits where you always made me feel welcome. I still remember all the laughter, delicious food and hours of watching the Cubs together on TV. Even while watching the Cubs finally win the World Series I felt like you and Grandma were there celebrating with me which made it even more special. I am thankful to have had the times we shared together where you helped me out with advice and encouragement. Even when I was going through any hard times when younger you would send a letter which I have to tell you really made a big difference to me. Even till this day I live by some of those same principals that you spoke of then. Thank you for being the best Grandpa anyone could ask for. I Love you and miss you Grandpa, Jason

Grandpa,

Where do I begin. I have so many amazing memories of you and grandma and how much I loved spending time with you. When I would stay the night at your house as soon as I woke up you would ask what do you want to eat, what do you want to eat. Lol you would ask until I would finally eat and that's when you would whip up your specialty Black eyed Susan's, I always loved and still do love black eyed Susan's I also make them for my kids. Last time when we had visited you Ava was so little but you left a lasting impression on her, she speaks of you often has your picture in her bedroom and when she gets in trouble she holds your picture to her chest. Ava tells me all the time she misses Gpa and it breaks my heart. We miss you so much and will cherish all the memories we have of you. When I think of you it puts a smile on my fac and a giggle in my heart. Love you always and forever, Holly (1)

Grandpa,

You will be missed by many because you are loved by many Rest in Peace

Love you Terrance

Dear Pops,

Where do I start? Both of you welcomed me in to the family with open arms. You were always willingly to drop everything you were doing just so you could help us out with the grandkids. Nicole was your pride and joy and you were her protector. I feared for anyone that dare did anything to harm or criticize her because I knew the Las Vegas valley was plenty big for Pops to take care of business with them.

You always knew how to brighten the day, You had the biggest caring heart of anyone I knew. You treated me just like a daughter and never judged me. You were the biggest teaser of all too. I have to laugh when I take Nicole places in the car because I know you are right there with us with all of the comments she makes especially the remarks that Nicole makes about stupid drivers. She even says some things that cannot be repeated.....

Your spirit lives on in your grandchildren. They always have good stories and memories about being with you and grandma.

We miss both you and grandma very much. Holidays are not the same because you both are not here to share them with us.

We are sure to carry on your legacy and keep your memory alive. By the way, the Cubs finally won!!!

I love you very much and miss you very much too. May you rest in peace.

Crissy

Dear Grandpa,

I always remember dad taking me over to visit both you and grandma at your house because dad would stop and get me McDonalds before we would get there. While eating my McDonalds, I can remember eating McDonalds on the couch with you and dad talking and you both listening to either FOX News or the Cubs playing. Grandpa you should know the the Cubs finally broke the curse and won the World Series.

I remember you guys coming over to our house on Buried Treasure. I never had to worry about going hungry because you both always made sure that I had food. Grandpa you always had great stories to share with me. I miss getting to spend time with you and Grandma and hearing all of your stories. I wish you were still here to enjoy and see all of the things that I am involved in.

I miss you very much Grandpa.

Love always,

Zachary

Dear Grandpa,

I have so many memories of both you and grandma. From playing the violin for both you and grandma every time I came over to watching Tom and Jerry every night while eating mint chip ice cream. I would always look forward to coming to spend time with both you and grandma. I could talk to both of you about anything and show you all of the drawings I made. I always enjoyed the times I was able to come over to your house. I miss you both very much. I'm sure both you and grandma would be very proud to see how far I've come. I hope that you continue to watch over me as I keep moving forward towards the future. May both you and grandma rest in peace.

I'll never forget both of you,

Megan

R.I.P. God Bless Jeanie

Dear Grandpa

We got to spend a lot of time together when I was younger and I will never forget all the memories of coming to spend the night with you and grandma your house was like a second home even after you moved to Vegas and you would let me and all my friends come stay the weekend with you guys and would make us feel like we were at home, one of my favorite things we use to do is just sit outside and watch the airplanes and you would just have endless story of when you were younger , grandpa you always believed in me no matter what I was going through and I will always love you for that ... i will always think of you every time I see a plane fly over .... I will never forget you

Love RJ

Grandpa...

I have so many amazing memories with you and Grandma. I will never forget all of our trips to Smiths grocery store for frozen yogurt, or all of the grandparents Days you made at school. My most favorite memory is sitting and watching the Cubs and Nebraska games while eating salami I would sneak for us while Grandma is telling me not to give you any. I have so many memories that I will cherish forever. I love you Grandpa and I miss you everyday. Give Grandma a hug and kiss for me. I hope I'm making you and Grandma proud. I love you.

Love Sarah

Dad,

I am thankful for giving me a sense of humor, family values, and a love of sports betting!! I could not have had a better role model and I love you and will forever miss you.

Your son,

Mike

Dad,

Today I am closing your memory book. This book will give all of us comfort, you are missed and loved every minute of every day. It is difficult to live in a world where you are not. Your memory will always be respected and honored.

Patsy xoxo