Obituaries

Raymond A. Mazgulski

Raymond A. Mazgulski, beloved husband of 47 years to the late Pearl Mazgulski, who passed away in 1991, and loving father of Judy Mazgulski and the late Richard Mazgulski, entered into eternal rest with his daughter at his side on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. He was 88 years old.

Ray was born in Riverhead, N.Y., on Sept. 4, 1923, the youngest of Bruno and Rose (Koncik) Mazgulski’s six children, all of whom predeceased him. Sisters Mary Hayes, Jane Wrieth and Lucille Diem and brothers Bruno and Peter, and their parents, welcome Raymond home.

An accomplished athlete in baseball and basketball, Ray graduated from Riverhead High School in 1941. He went to work as a stenographer for the district attorney’s office, where he met his wife, who worked for the sheriff’s office. Of meeting Pearl, he always said, “The good Lord brought us together.” Drafted in 1943, he received his orders in 1944, married that October and shipped out a week later. Serving in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Force as a technical sergeant for three years, he spent time overseas in the China, Burma, India Theater.

After discharge, he resumed employment with the district attorney’s office as a criminal investigator until 1949 when he joined Suffolk County National Bank as a loan clerk. In 1965, he was elected president and director; in 1975, president and vice chairman of the board; and in 1976, president and chairman of the board. He retired in 1999 after 50 years of allegiance, dedication and service. “It was an honor to work at the bank,” he often stated. He took pride in “making a good, honest living as a country banker.”

Among his other banking achievements, he was past president and director of the Suffolk County Credit Exchange, the Suffolk County Bankers Association and the New York State Bankers Association. Throughout his life he served the community in various ways, both publicly and privately. He was past director of the Suffolk County Heart Association, past treasurer and director of the Suffolk County Tuberculosis and Public Health Association and past secretary and first vice president and director of the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce. Most notably, he was named a Paul Harris Fellow in 1983 for his service as past secretary, treasurer and director of the Riverhead Rotary Club and was honored as “Man of the Year” by the Boy Scouts of America, Peconic Bay District, in 1985. In addition, he was a longtime member of the North Fork Country Club. He hoped he’d be able to “get out on the course again” playing the game of golf he had loved since caddying and learning the game in his youth.

Ray was a true gentleman in every sense of the word; he treated people with dignity and respect and never left a kind word unspoken. He was always generous and eager to help his community members and loved ones, not only by sharing his business sense but in any way he could. A devoted family man of quiet strength and faith, he and his family were long time members of Sacred Heart Parish.

He is survived by his “number one” daughter, Judy, of Rocky Hill, Conn., who will miss him dearly, along with many beloved family members and treasured friends.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated June 2 at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Mattituck. He was buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Cutchogue. DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.

Memorial donations may be made to Peconic Bay Medical Center Foundation, Riverhead, N.Y., of which he and his wife were longtime benefactors, and the Mattituck Fire and Rescue Squad in recognition of their faithful and valuable service to their community.

This is a paid notice.