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Raymond John Rappazini, 63, of 402 Bluff St., Negaunee, died with his loving family at his side and under the care of Lake Superior Hospice.

Ray was born on July 29, 1948 in Ishpeming, to Eugene and Myrtle (Prisk) Rappazini. A lifelong resident of Negaunee, Ray graduated from St. Paul's Catholic High School in 1966. In 1974 he graduated from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.

Ray served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was the current Post Commander of the Negaunee V.A. ROMO Post 3165. The VFW was a very important part of his life and he enjoyed being involved in all of the activities.

Ray married Ilene DeGabriele on September 11, 1971. Together they raised two daughters. Ray worked for Cleveland Cliffs at the Tilden and Empire Mines as a Quality Control Technician in the lab for 30 years before retiring in 2003.

Ray was a member of the Negaunee City Council from 1995 until 2000 and served as the Mayor of Negaunee from 1999-2000. He cared about Negaunee and was proud to be involved in local politics.

He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Negaunee, a former member of the Knights of Columbus and active in the Negaunee City Basketball League for many years. He enjoyed playing cards with his friends and was in Cribbage League and Pinochle League.

Ray was an avid Racing fan and enjoyed classic cars, especially the 1955 Chevy Bel Air that he owned for many years. He loved traveling and visiting new places. He was an excellent cook. But most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially his three granddaughters.

He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Ilene (DeGabriele) Rappazini of Neguanee; two daughters, Jennifer (Craig) Biekkola of Hancock and Toni Rappazini of Negaunee; two sisters Kathy (Joe) McCormick of Negaunee and Debra (Nick) Dalessandro of Appleton; three granddaughters, Magdelaina Pascoe of Negaunee and Sadie and Lucy Biekkola of Hancock; two sisters-in-law, Andrea (Dan) Nelson of Camas, WA, and Gena (Telfer) Hocking of Green Bay, WI; one brother-in-law Marius (Becky) DeGabriele of Grand Junction, CO; and several nieces nephews and cousins. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Julie Caldwell; a special cousin, Suzanne (Sharp) LaFreniere; and his in-laws, Eugene and Betty DeGabriele.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Negaunee with Monsignor Peter Oberto officiating. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jimmer Howe, Mike Roy, John Basolo, Paul Koski, Al Perucco, Lee Roberts, and Michael Coduti. The family will greet relatives and friends from 1:30 pm until the time of services at 4:00 pm at the church on Tuesday. The Koskey Funeral Home of Negaunee is assisting the family.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.koskeyfuneralhome.com.