Raymond Gutierrez Obituary

My sympathy goes out to Ray's family.

I had known Ray for over 30 years.

A kinder man couldn't be found. He

touched our lives in many ways. He

delivered papers to my parents in

the 70's. He was a good friend to

me and my daugher. Now he was able

to enjoy her children also. He was

never too busy to listen to you or

try to lend a helping hand. Rest

well my friend. You will be greatly

missed.

I will miss my cousin Raymond a lot. Remembering childhood times spent with my cousins has been wonderful. Ray would squeeze into a deep window frame when we played indoor hide-and-seek. He would then scare us to death by jumping down in front of us in a darkened entryway. So many other childhood escapades are precious memories I have of our Sunday & every holiday visit at my Aunt Olga & Uncle Reyes'. I will miss his greeting of "You ugly" every time we saw each other. Only Ray could make that a loving & endearing greeting. I really looked forward to it! To have been part of Ray's life was a privilege. A kind, loving & gentle soul like Ray is rare. He cannot be replaced. I miss him & always will.

I WAS SORRY TO HERE ABOUT RAY, MY BEST TO OUR FAMILY. I WILL GIVE YOU A CALL. LOVE JOHN AND NANCY

Raymond was born on September 8, 1947, the fourth of the five children of Reyes and Olga Gutierrez...Franny, Algene, Joe, Raymond, and Jim. At the age of 10, he got his first job, a paperboy (following in the footseps of his brother Joe). He loved being a paperboy at Watson's News Agency. Rain, snow, or shine, Ray got the paper to you. He attended Bright School where he graduated in 1961. he then went on to CVS High School where he took auto mechanics and body work. He was good at them. There was always a car in the back of the yard that he was working on. Sanding, filling, priming, and painting to get the car running and making it look good. Word of mouth kept him busy.



In 1967, Raymond entered the Army. He and Joe served in Viet Nam at the same time. Ray served honorably, and like many veterans returning home, did not feel the welcoming that other war veterans experienced. He was the proudest when, many years after the war ended, a welcoming parade was held to honor those who served in 'Nam.



When he returned from Viet Nam, he again worked at Watson's News Agency. This time, in the office learning how to run a business and supervising the paperboys. He became Mr. Watson's right-hand man. Raymond was happy. In 1971, he got the chance to buy the business and become sole owner. This is what he did; he became his own boss.



Life stayed the same for many years...paperboys came and went while business went up and down. Like many others, the closing of the mill affected him too. Business dropped at that point for him but he stuck it out. Still, Ray was happy because he truly liked what he did.



He loved going to flea markets where he would pick up bike parts so he could make a good one out of a couple bad ones. He would give these bikes to St. Kevin's parish to sell at KevinFest. He loved listening to Elvis Presley, country music, going to concerts, and just sitting in his office. He was a quiet, easy-going man; he didn't ask much of life. He was a kind man who was always willing to help. He was a good son and a good brother. He was good to his brothers and always helping his sisters with their cars, giving them a ride when needed, and running out for pizza or ice cream when it was late. He gave not just things, but gave of himself. Although Ray never married, his paperboys and papergirls were his children. Many called him 'Dad' or 'Pops' and he became a father/grandfather figure to them.



There are so many stories about Ray... A lady stopped by the office on Tuesday, the 9th, to pay her bill and to find out if something was wrong because she hadn't received her paper Monday and Tuesday. She had been a customer since 1978 and said Ray never missed a day.



When Ray was about 3 years old, he was playing in the yard with Stubby (the family dog). The dog, probably not too crazy about playing with Ray, decided to escape from the yard and walk down Hoxie. Raymond started following Stubby. Well, the dog kept walking and so did Ray. At about 103rd St., a policeman spotted the 2 of them and tried o take them to the police station. However, Stubby wouldn't let anyone near Ray. Finally, after bribing Stubby alot, they managed to get a hold of Ray, and according to the old Daily Calumet paper, they took 'both child and dog to the police station where they fed them ice cream and dog food.' Ray was always asked if he ate the ice cream or dog food. This could have been the start of his love for newspapers...he made the headlines!



He took accordian lessons, practicing very hard to learn the songs. Especially 1 song, which he played and played and played until no one could stand to hear it anymore.



Many years ago, the Ironside Pizza Place was next to Ray's office. He would spend hours there, sitting and talking to Frank, Sonny, and people coming in. One particular time, his brother Joe called and ordered a pizza. Ray asked if he could deliver it. Well, he delivered it and left. When Joe opened the pizza he found almost half the pizza gone and written in the space where the pizza had been were the words, 'Ha Ha.'



Another time, Ray and his friend and helper, Carl, were at 78th and Jeffrey when his old green van (called the Green Monster) stopped running. They tried everything to get it going but the only working gear was Reverse. They drove all the way back to South Deering backwards, praying that they wouldn't see a cop.



And of course, the latest adventure Raymond shared was last weekend. He joined Franny and Algene on a bus trip to the Elgin casino. This was his first gambling trip with his sisters. He wasn't crazy about slot machines but decided to go anyway. Well, he found out that he liked slot machines when he won a payout. He was so happy.



Through the years, people have told stories of the many ways Ray had helped them. He bought them food, helped financially, got them out of a jam, helped them with their kids, took them to their doctor's appointments, shopping, out to eat, a carnival, or to the movies. He bought raincoats for the patrol boys at Bright School for many years. Raymond never mentioned these things, the family always heard from others.



Ray touched many lives in many ways. He wasn't a rich man, but what makes a man rich? Isn't it the love of family and friends? What makes a man respected? Isn't it the compassion and justice that he shows his fellow man? Ray was both loved and respected.



There is a poem that says everything that is felt when someone who is loved has died..."NO MAN IS AN ISLAND, ENTIRE OF ITSELF. EVERY MAN IS A PIECE OF THE CONTINENT, A PART OF THE MAIN. IF A PIECE OF THE EARTH IS WASHED AWAY BY THE SEA, THE EARTH IS THE LESS. ANY MAN'S DEATH DIMINISHES ME BECAUSE I AM INVOLVED IN MANKIND. THEREFORE, NEVER ASK TO KNOW FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS: IT TOLLS FOR THEE."



After 31 years, Ray's News Agency is no more.



The preceding was the eulogy given at Raymond's funeral (submitted by his brothers and sisters)

I met Raymond through his sister Fran when we were teenagers. Raymond was always there in the background. Quietly and lovingly just being there. No mater what was asked of him Raymond did it with a smile, no task or request was to much for him to accomplish. His helping hands reached out to many in the South Deering Neighborhood. Rest well my friend, as you will be truely missed not only by your family put all of your friends.

I just heard the news of Ray's passing today and I was devasted..I met Ray over 30 years ago through my friend Barb Bressendorf (Brown)..I started to think of all the times we hung out at the agency with him & all the New Years Eve's we would all ride with Ray downtown..so many other stories but he was the sweetest,kindest man I've ever known..my deepest sympathies..he'll never be forgotten

To everyone who took the time to share a thought or story about, or even a prayer for, my Uncle Raymond I would like to thank you. The kind words and unforgetable stories of how he touched people's lives have brought comfort and happiness to us during our time of sorrow. He was a kind, gentle man but we did not know to what extent his kindness reached until his untimely passing. Uncle Raymond will be missed and forever loved by all who knew him. Once again, on behalf of the Gutierrez family, I thank you for your outpouring expressions of sympathy and kindness.



Sincerely,

Raymond's Niece Melissa

Ray was my best friend when we both worked at the Park District in 1967.

I was only 16 years old, but that didn't matter to him. Ray, Willie King and myself sure enjoyed the summer at Grant Park. I have always remembered him and what his friendship had meant to me that summer.

Ray was the reason that my mother and father met in 1972. They were introduced while my mom was watching a cousin and hanging out with Ray while he was washing his Red Chevy. Even though the marriage to my father ended my mother has remained good friends with Ray over the last 30 years. When I was a little girl Ray would pick us up and take us to concerts, the circus, movies and on and on. He even took my on outings with all his paper boys. He would check on us while we lived alone in Trumbull Park. He attended my wedding and my children have even been blessed by his presence by a recent trip to Wolf Lake and McDonalds. I feel honored to have known him and will deeply miss him. There is not enough room on this page to tell you all of the kind things he has done and said over the last 30 years. I have never known and kinder man. Today we attended his funeral and it is very plain to see that Ray was loved by many.

My sincerest sympathy to the Gutierrez family on your loss.

Raymond was my very best friend. I loved him and will miss him so much. My family too loved him and my daughter will never forget all the tin cans Raymond collected for her 1st grade class at St. Jude. Thanks to Raymonds effort Julies class won. I have never known a kinder, gentler, more generous man.

So sorry to read this morning of Ray's passing. Even though many years have past my children and I will always remember his kind and thoughtful ways. South Deering has lost one of its nicest people.