Henry Raymond Stafford Jr.

March 16, 1943 ~ March 5, 2015 (age 71) 71 Years Old

Henry Raymond Stafford, Jr., 71, of South Bend, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN after battling a sudden but overwhelming illness.
Ray, born March 16, 1943, made South Bend his lifelong home. Son of Henry Raymond Stafford and Marie Barbara Stafford (Fuzy) (both deceased) and older brother to Sue Heick (Ron). As a young boy, Ray was very active in community activities such as the German Township 4H club - activities that helped establish a bond with his community that he passed on to his kids. Ray was a proud graduate of IU-Bloomington ('67) and his beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish ('71). Ray was an art teacher in the South Bend School Corporation for 40 years, 39 of which were at Clay High School, where he bled purple and gold. His contributions to the school went well beyond the classroom, as school productions and special projects always had his stamp. A dedicated advocate, Ray improved the teaching and working conditions in our public schools, and relished the camaraderie of his 40 year affiliation with the American Federation of Teachers, Local #679, AFL-CIO.
Beloved husband to, and survived by, Rebecca Ray Stafford (Rodecap) - the love of his life and two adoring daughters, Amy Ray Reinke (husband Jesse, and children Grace Ray and Rose Marie) and Casey Ray Stafford (husband Patrick Malloy, children Meredy Margaret, Bennett Patrick and Elsa Marie). A dedicated father, Ray was a fixture in the seats for dance recitals and the bleachers for basketball games and volleyball matches. Although retired, Ray's finest teaching moments - certainly his most inspired - came in the past 6 years with his most cherished students, his 5 grandchildren. Known for his easygoing personality, with a smile permanently affixed to his face and pencil in his glasses, he had an intense love of family and friends, always willing to lend a hand. Ray lived life to the fullest; lived life with integrity and selflessness and valued the importance of hard work. Because he made friends everywhere he went, he will be truly missed.
Visitation will be on Thursday, March 12, 2014 from 4- 8pm at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN.
Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 13, 2015 at Kaniewski Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.
The family appreciates the thoughts and prayers from so many, and especially would like to thank the dedicated healthcare professionals that gave Ray such great attention.

To send condolences, please visit, www.kaniewski.com.

• VISITATION

  March 12, 2015
  4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

   

  KANIEWSKI FUNERAL HOME

  3545 N. Bendix Drive
  South Bend, IN
  (574) 277-4444

   

• FUNERAL SERVICE

  March 13, 2015
  10:00 AM

   

  KANIEWSKI FUNERAL HOME

  3545 N. Bendix Drive
  South Bend, IN
  (574) 277-4444

   

• BURIAL

  Friday March 13 2015

   

  HIGHLAND CEMETERY

  2257 Portage Avenue
  South Bend, IN

04/14/2025 DEC

https://www.kaniewski.com/obituary/Ray-Stafford