Ray was born March 12,1942 in Detroit, MI and died on October 27, 2012 at Wuesthoff Hospice House in Rockledge, FL after a courageous battle with multiple types of cancer that lasted over three years.

Ray served in the US Air Force for 26 years, and then worked for the US Postal Service for 14 years before retiring to Canaveral Groves, FL. Recently, he had moved to Viera, FL.

He was a member of many organizations including the American Legion, the Air Force Sergeants Association, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Ray enjoyed bowling, and playing shuffleboard with his family and friends at KT's in Cocoa.

He is survived by his brother Robert Szymanski of Michigan; sons Eric and Troy Szymanski; daughter Melissa Dean; step-daughter Laura Canady, and her two daughters Lauren and Jennifer; sister-in-law Bea Szymanski; nieces Shelly and Amy; and six grandchildren Justin, Jesse, Jarrod, Tommy, Kayla, and Joshua. He was pre-deceased by his parents Helen and Ted Szymanski, his wife Rebecca Szymanski, and a son Scott Szymanski.

A Celebration of Life for Ray will be held on Sunday, November 4, 2012 at 12:00 pm at KT's in Cocoa. Ray will be given Full Military Honors, and laid to rest at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL on November 5, 2012 at 10:30 am.

He was a wonderful man who had nothing but friends, and who always put others before himself. He will be greatly missed by both his family and friends.

The family would like to thank the staff at Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice in Rockledge, and a special thanks to his brother Bob for helping tremendously during his final few weeks.