Raymond R. Iwanicki

Raymond R. Iwanicki passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 16th at the age of 89. He is survived by Irene (Gopsill) Iwanicki, his loving wife of 64 years and their three daughters Patricia Kearns of Fairfield, Mary Beth Elgin (her husband Stephen, children Matthew and Elizabeth) of Farmington, NY and Barbara Carissimi (her husband John, children Thomas and Raymond) of Milford. Raymond is also survived by his brother Walter (his wife Dorothy) of Waterford.

Ray was born in Bridgeport on June 4th, 1928, the son of Stephen and Pauline Iwanicki. He graduated from Harding High School in 1946 and entered the US Army shortly after. While in the Army, he qualified for entry into the elite 82nd Airborne Division and received his jump wings. While serving as a paratrooper, he made numerous jumps. He was later reassigned to the US Army Constabulary in Germany during the postwar occupation. After his discharge in 1948, Ray attended the University of Bridgeport before beginning his career as a sales representative with Nabisco.

Raymond and Irene were married in 1953, and moved to Fairfield in 1956 after starting their family. He was a parishioner at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Fairfield, where he participated in the Men's League, bowling league, church play stage crews and was a charter member of the Eucharistic ministry. He also worked for the Town of Fairfield as a monitor at the polls.

He and Irene loved to travel and to host family gatherings at their home. He enjoyed airplanes and model trains, and would often attend regional air shows, fly-ins and model train shows with friends and family members.

Known for his friendly smile and good sense of humor, Ray made friends easily and was highly regarded. He was devoted to his family and enjoyed time with his children and grandchildren whenever possible. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend and was cherished by his family. He will be profoundly missed.

Friends may visit the Spear Miller Funeral Home in Fairfield on Friday, September 22, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Interment with military honors will take place at the St. Thomas Cemetery immediately after. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund Attn: CONTRIBUTIONS, One Intrepid Square W 46th Street & 12th Avenue New York, NY 10036. For information or to offer online condolences please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com.