Raymond Ceretti
May 08, 2012
Raymond Ceretti passed away on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Ray was born on February 2, 1922, to Dominic and Teresa Ceretti in Spring Hill, Iowa.
As a young man, Ray learned to weld with the C.C.C. and went to work at the Naval Shipyards during WW II. He then joined the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific Theatre. While in the Army, Ray was part of the Occupation Force in Japan. When he returned home after his discharge in 1946, he went to work as a welder with Solar Aircraft, an iron worker for Abild Construction and later retired after 23 years from the DM Public School System, working the last 18 years at Wright Elementary School. Ray was a charter member of Christ the King, a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Vittoria Lodge.
His loving wife, Mary (Nizzi), was by his side for 55 years until her death in June, 2004. Together they raised three sons.
Ray is survived by his sons, Raymond (Rhonda), Dominic (Yvonne), and Donald (Janet); his grandchildren, Lonnie (Patty Hayes), Bob, Brad, Jason (Whitney Plagge), Chris, Chelsea, Caleb, Teresa (Jason Edwards), and Laura (Jim) Sarcone; great-grandchildren, Abby, Emmet, and Jack; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, his brother, Bruno, and granddaughter, Dana.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 14, 2012, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5711 SW 9th Street. Burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery. Family will greet friends at the church on Sunday, May 13 from 5 to 8 p.m., with a rosary to begin at 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Christ the King Catholic Church.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Mike Adamietz
05/14/2012
Don & Janet;
I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I could have spent some time honoring your Dad last night in the Honor Guard. It is a great tribute to those who have given so much of themselves to help build our parish so that those of us left behind have a great place to worship.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you over the next few weeks. Debbie and I will keep you and your family in our prayers as you go through this sad time.
Brian
05/14/2012
When at wright elementary I seen and spoke to Ray regularly and like many others every Sunday in church during the 80s. i would also give my grandfather (Tony) rides to visit him in front of his house, he told me of serving with my grandfather in the pacific. No matter where it was his presence always made me feel like I belonged and was welcome. My Condolences Thoughts and Prayers to you all
Rachel Merrell
05/13/2012
I fondly remember Mr. Ceretti as the custodian when I attended Wright Elementary. He was one of the nicest people I have met. I have thought of him many times over the years. We asked his name and he said "Sally". This made us laugh, but we always called him Sally from then on. I am sorry for your family's loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mike and Deb Ferjak
05/12/2012
Dom - We are saddened to hear of your father's passing and are thinking of you and your family. We did not know your father but he raised a great son and that is perhaps the best testament to his life. Our best to you and your entire family.
Anthony (Tony) Scavo
05/11/2012
Ray's kindness touched me in a manner that only a man of his caliber could. I enjoyed our many conversations at mass on Sundays. He was a great man and I will miss him tremendously. Ray was also of great importance to many in my family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ed Heritage
05/11/2012
Thoughts and prayers to all of Rays family. Mr.Ceretti,as all of us young kids called him, made us fill safe and happy at Wright Elementary. I can remember him and his smile like it was yesterday! God Bless!
Don Foreman, Jr.
05/11/2012
We Foreman kids grew up across the street from Ray and loved him and his family. Ray once saved by brother Ron by alerting him to a downed live wire following a storm. Ray also helped my fix up my 1950 Ford by doing what he did best - welding.
Our Dad worked with Ray in the Seattle shipyards repairing damaged Navy ships following Pear Harbor. They later fought for our Country in WWII.
He was a great guy and I will miss him.
Herb and Jody Wright
05/11/2012
So sorry to hear about Ray's death. He was a wonderful grandfather to Jason and Chris, they adored him. He will be missed but is finally at peace. God Bless all of you.
Vickey Durham-Scott Durham
05/11/2012
So sorry to hear your father passed away. I know you will miss him in so many ways. He was a wonderful man and I will remember his smile. My mother and father thought the world of both of your parents. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Darren and Caren Hemann
05/09/2012
Our thoughts, prayers, and hearts go out to all of you.
Ray was an incredible person. I remember how he was always the first person to welcome us to family get togethers with his awesome smile and greetings. His loss is felt deeply. We too, will miss him.
I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their lives leave an indelible imprint in our memories.
May you find comfort knowing that your lives have been enriched by having shared Ray's life.
"And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever."
- Revelation 22:5
Rhonda Edwards
05/09/2012
Sorry for the loss of your Father, Grandpa and Great Grandpa. Your Family is in my thoughts and prayers.
maryann mitchell
05/09/2012
sorry to hear about your dad my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time