Ramon P. "Ray" Grapsy, Jr.

Ramon P. "Ray" Grapsy, Jr., 80, of Pottsville, died Saturday night at home. He was born September 23, 1933 in Korn Krest son of the late Ray P. Sr., and Eve Yezefski Grapsy. He was a graduate of Pottsville High School and Penn State University and was an Army veteran having served during the Korean War where he attainted the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Ray was a truck dealer for over 50 years and was president of the former West End Motor Company and West End Leasing Company. Ray was a member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, where he served as a lector, a founding member of PA Truck Dealer where he served as President and later received the PA Truck Dealer of the year award and a founding member of Idealease. He was also a member of the International Harvester Dealer Council, Knights of Columbus Council #431 where he received his 4th degree, Pottsville Club where served as Vice President of the Board, Pottsville Lions Club, Catholic War Veteran Post 1051, 40 year member of Yorkville Hose Company, Explorer Troop Leader, and was President and Basketball coach for St. John's CYO. He was an avid hunter and loved to hunt bear in Maine. Ray also enjoyed fishing trips to Canada, and loved to golf and visit many famous courses. He also had his pilot license. Surviving are his wife of 55 years the former Joan Marie Kriston; 4 children, Ramon P., III, Moscow; Debra A. Guers and her husband Edward, Pottsville; Mark A. and his wife Elaine, Schuylkill Haven; Michael and his wife Edith, Macungie: a brother, Ronald P., Bloomsburg: 12 grandchildren, Samantha, Rebecca, Edward II, Casey, Taylor, Jillian, Raymond IV, Paige, Kaylee, Shane, Michael Jr., Ava; nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 11:00 A.M. from St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville, with the Rev. David J. Loeper as celebrant. Family and friends are invited to call Thursday from 6:00P.M.-8:00P.M. and Friday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of mass at the church. The family would prefer remembrances in form of contributions made to St. John Memorial Fund, 913 Mahantango St. Pottsville, PA 17901. Interment with military honors will be held at St. John No.2 Cemetery, Pottsville. James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville, is in charge of arrangements.