Raymond Andrade Avina

Name: Raymond Andrade Avina

Calling Hours: Sunday, February 24th from 2 to 8 pm at Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton

Service Hours: Monday, February 25th at 10:30 am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church at Assumption

Raymond Andrade Avina, age 85, of Swanton, Ohio, entered into eternal rest, Thursday morning, February 21, 2008, under hospice care at Swanton Health Care and Retirement Center. He was born August 31, 1922 in Belton, Texas to Antonio and Maria (Andrade) Avina. At the age of sixteen, the family moved north to Ohio. It was during this trip that Ray survived a vehicular accident that left him with an uneven hip and his familiar limp.

Ray and Caroline Gomer were married November 9, 1946 at St. Casper Catholic Church in Wauseon, Ohio. It was E.L. Gomer, Sr., “Lake”, who persuaded the couple to buy the twelve-acre farm in AI that was to be their home for 58 years. Ray retired from Kaiser-Jeep in 1978. He had also been employed from 1956-1968 as a night custodian at Fulton Local School. Ray loved the social interaction with the students, and many remembered his warm smile. He also loved the earth, and worked their small farm for many years.

Retirement drew out the artistic and creative side of Ray. He was a member of the Treasure Trackers and the Toledo Craftsman Guild for many years. Working with silver and semiprecious gems, he created jewelry that was appreciated by family and friends. Ray looked forward to meeting everyone that attended the many shows, especially at the Lucas County Recreation Center.

In the 60’s, Ray constructed a small cabin at Holiday Woods in Angola. A home away from home, Ray and Caroline enjoyed fishing and camping with his brother, Joe (Bernice), and fellow retiree, Stanley (Virginia) Nowicki. They were fortunate to winter in Texas and Florida, and in their years, traveled throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Ray was deeply loved by his wife of 61 years, Caroline; his children, Sandra (Ted), Suzanne and Steven (Nancy); grandchildren, Steve (Julie), Laurie (Dan), Scott (Cathy), Jesse, Marne (Brad); great-grandchildren, Morgan, Brett, Brooke, Jacob, Madison, Alec and Persephone; and sisters, Carolina Ruiz and Mercedes Scheele.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Antonio, Adolf and Joe.

Friends and family may visit Sunday, February 24th from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton, where a Scripture service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Prayers will begin in the funeral home Monday morning, February 25th at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church at Assumption. Fr. Dennis Metzger will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity School.

Residence: Swanton, Ohio

Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery