Ray Allan Stoddard WESTMORELAND Ray Allan Stoddard, 67 years of age, of Westmoreland, NY, passed away at his home, with his loving family by his side, on March 26, 2015. He was born in Rome, NY, on August 15, 1947, the son of Sheldon Carr and Sophie Wanda (Prusinowski) Stoddard. Ray graduated from Rome Free Academy high school and entered the military where he served in the Navy during the Vietnam Era from 1967-1971 and was honorably discharged as a nuclear weapons technician and received rank of E6, following in the footsteps of all the men in his family. He continued his education, earning a certificate from Mohawk Valley Community College. On June 19, 1976, he married Lucy Stolo in St. Mary's Church. Ray worked for the City of Rome and Varflex before his military service. He returned to work at Varflex after his military service for several years before working as a Developmental Assistant II/Residence Manager for the New York State Office For People With Developmental Disabilities Central New York Developmental Services Office (OPWDD CNY DSO), retiring on July 30, 2008. Ray grew up in the Catholic faith, a member of St. Mary's Church in Rome. He loved the outdoors; he especially loved to fish and garden. Ray was infamous for his dill pickles and canned hot peppers, which he made annually to share with family and friends. He loved activities and spending time with his family, most recently spending a week in the Outer Banks with his entire family. Ray was honest, and loyal; he dedicated his life to his family. It was important to do his very best at every job, and he will be remembered for his high integrity and character. Surviving besides his wife, Lucy, are a daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Ron Artz, Westmoreland, and their children, Corderro, Angelo and Nicolina, Ray shared a very special and close relationship with his first grandson, Corderro; daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Jeffrey Belisle, New Hartford, and his unborn grandchild; and son and daughter-in-law, Sheldon and Mary K. Stoddard, Whitesboro, and their children, Geovanni, Ashton and Joseph. Ray is also survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Gail and John Yanney, Dolgeville; twin brother and sister-in-law, Leon and Elaine Stoddard, Marcy; a sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Buddy Kelleher, Oswego; his mother-in-law, Alvera Prather, Rome; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Ray shared a special bond with his Uncle Joe Awad. He is also survived by Karen Lovett and her children, his godson and wife, Brandon and Lisa, Rome, Brooke, Brent, and best friend and brother, Bob Lovett, who predeceased him on June 3, 2009. Ray and Bob shared a special and very close friendship since childhood and until Bob's death. He also enjoyed a close friendship with coworkers Vicky Angotti and Terry DeBonza. Dottie, his cat, will miss Ray very much. Ray was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Ray Valentine and Velma Stoddard, and his maternal grandparents, Leon and Philomena Prusinowski. He was also predeceased by special pets, Queenie, Pudge, Pudge II, Tigger, Oprah and Penny. Ray's family wishes to thank their families, friends, neighbors, and coworkers for all of their acts of kindness, contributions of food, help with maintaining the home, many calls of encouragement and support, and visits. We are truly grateful and will cherish these memories always. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at 10:00 a.m from the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 West Court Street, Rome, and at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Church. Burial will be in Westmoreland Union Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday, March 28, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Memorial contributions in Ray's memory can be made to the Jimmy Fund, c/o Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168, which solely supports Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, raising funds for adult and pediatric cancer care and research to improve the chances of survival for cancer patients around the world. To offer online condolences, please visit: www.njbushfuneralhome.com