Raymond V. Miuccio Eulogy
By: Barbara A. Miuccio
April 15, 2023

Ray's eulogy gives all the glory and honor to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Ray became a Christian while serving in the Army. He asked Jesus to be his Lord and Savior, forgive him of his sins, began reading the Bible, praying and ultimately developed a personal relationship with the Lord. His life started to change one day at a time into a godly man. He wanted to live his life the way Jesus would want him to. He knew only one person could forgive his sins, the one who died on the cross for our sins, the son of GOD - Jesus. The divine action that speaks how God loves us.
Dr. Charles Stanley said: "We don't have to be perfect to become a man or woman with a heart for God. Instead, our aim should be simply spending time with our Father and developing a habit of repentance'
Ray suffered many hardships, broken relationships, regrets, and one of the hardest broken and separated relationship that deeply broke his heart. He struggled with bad thoughts as to what to do about it and by the grace of God he got through it and the Lord redeemed and restored him many times. Ray would say 'I'm trying to be the man God wants me to be but I'm not the man I used to be'
Ray believed every word of the Bible to be true and accurate. He strongly believed in God's only plan for marriage, between a man and a woman, he believed thou shall not kill and was grateful his mother gave him life, he believed God is no respecter of any person, there should be no prejudice among God's people. He did not compromise on God's holy word even though he knew opposition would come. God's word commands us to share the good news of salvation.
Ray shared the plan of salvation whenever he had the opportunity, used the analogy 'religion is like ice cream, it comes in many flavors' but there is only one God, one Jesus and one Holy Spirit – ask Jesus to be Lord and Savior of your life, confess your sins, live the way He wants you to live, not the way you choose to live and you will inherit the kingdom of Heaven when you leave this earth and live forever. It was that simple.
Ray was delivered from bad habits which lead him to share his testimony in many different groups including a prison ministry, how the Lord changed his life around. Ray was 'one of the go to guys' anytime any hour of the night, he would get calls to pick up someone and bring them to rehab or a hospital, he would go. He had a heart to help anyone in need.
After many attempts to relocate with IBM, Ray began to pray for GOD's will to be done...GOD had other plans, one of his co-workers Michael Leigh introduced Ray and I. We met in Church in September of 1991 and were married on November 21, 1992 (I rededicated my life to the Lord on November 21, 1976 and 16 years later I married Ray) and started a blended family, his family and friends my family and friends became 'ours'. God wanted us to love each other's children as our own, so they became our children, our grandchildren we did not like that word 'step'. Be that as it may...it was quite the rodeo...Love is an action, Jesus died on the cross for us...that is an action of love none of us could even imagine. We both believed 'Actions speak louder than words'.
Ray loved this Country after 911 he tried to re-enlist in the Army he was rejected because of his age, so then his next plan was to try and work for Halliburton another no. Thank God.
We honored our vows and God blessed our 30 year marriage and fought off the fiery darts that came our way with the scripture: Isaiah 54:17 'But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you'.
We made time to read through the Bible every year, and after retirement we would start the day with devotions and scripture readings, end the day with reading through the Bible.
We did not plan on retiring so early in 2009, but the Lord's plan was not our plan. For the next 7 years we spent quality time traveling, being with our family, and enjoying our grandchildren, before Ray got ill in 2016.
Although it was a shock to both of us he had cancer, he never complained. He trusted the Lord, and we prayed the healing scriptures daily. Ray endured 7 years of unbelievable medical problems, including surgeries, two heart attacks, and dozens of hospital stays literally across the country. As most of you know, January 2021 Ray was given 6 months, he did not take that news well at all, I'm not sure anyone would...he drove himself to Houston, Texas with $40 and one credit card and no cell phone – he arrived safely because God answered the prayers of our prayer warriors and others that prayed and GOD protected Ray.
During the next 7 years of fighting cancer, we met doctors, nurses and staff that shared our faith in God. Ray was a walking miracle and had quite a testimony of faith in God. We were praying that he would give a testimony in Church one day.
Ray was admitted in Vassar on Tuesday, March 28th, on Thursday, I picked up Tyler from school, he wanted to see his Grandpa, when Ray knew Tyler was there he perked right up, we only stayed a few minutes but Ray was happy and so was Tyler. Ray received 7 treatments of radiation. I continued to read daily and play music and videos for Ray.
One of the many Patient Care Techs were Christians and shared two videos of Michael English – 'Midnight Cry' and 'I bow on my knees and cry holy'. I played them for Ray.
Hospice nurses said – military guys have determination and a will to live Ray was definitely one of them. All his medical doctors called to let me know Ray would not have made it as long as he did without the care I gave him...I said it was the Lord, the prayers and wisdom GOD gave me to care for him.
On April 2nd, Ray had 2 meals that day. The nurses said every time I came in, his countenance changed his eyes opened and he was happy and alert. I was able to talk to him and he responded.
One of our last conversations was Ray's heart's desire and last wish was to see our family and friends know Jesus personally so they will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. He wanted to make sure our prayers for our children and grandchildren were answered, and asked me to continue to pray for them, this was a huge concerned to Ray. I reminded him what our Pastor Rick said in one of his sermons, we shared the gospel with them and now it is up to them, we have to trust GOD...
On Good Friday I read this to Ray:Luke 23: 38-43 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." On April 8th at 11:47 pm Ray was in the presence of his Lord and Savior and is more alive now and healthy and we will see him again in Heaven...
Our plan was to be raptured together...God's plan was different:
Isaiah 55:8-9 Indeed my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds, says the Lord, for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans.
As I find myself sad and hurting by the lost of my husband, I believe there is still something to be thankful for…
I am thankful for a God who promises to be close to us when we are broken hearted and save us when we are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).
I am thankful for a God who comforts those who mourn (Matthew 5:4).
I am thankful for a God who promises us a day with no more suffering (Romans 8:18).
I am thankful for a God who will one day wipe all our tears away (Revelations 21:4).

I am thankful that my children and grandchildren loved and respected Ray, and he knew it, they spent a lot of time with him, they were there for many gatherings with family and friends.

Ray and I love all of you and are thankful for your prayers, most of you didn't get to know him... but I am sure as those who did know him you would agree 'Everybody Loves Raymond'
We were suppose to learn Italian since our Grandson Tyler was learning the language in school, and we planned to take a trip to Italy.
Raymond -
Ti amo e mi mancherai mio caro marito, fino a quando non ci incontreremo di nuovo in paradiso

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Raymond Vincent Miuccio, age 71, went Home to be with Our Lord on April 8, 2023. He was born in Englewood, New Jersey on November 6, 1951 to parents Louis and Joan (France) Miuccio. On November 21, 1992 he married the love of his life, Barbara Ann (Calvachio) Miuccio. Barbara survives at home.
Raymond proudly served our country in the United States Army, earning a National Defense Service medal. He was a member of the American Legion. He worked for over 25 years as a Power Development Engineer for IBM in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Raymond loved golfing, playing all sports. His greatest heart's desire was to be a member of the New York Yankees. He loved riding his Harley-Davidson. After his retirement he set up a workshop in his garage. Spending time with his grandchildren was something that truly brought him happiness and joy, whether it be playing in the yard or pool, or attending their dance recitals or sporting events. He enjoyed planting a vegetable garden with his three Grandchildren.
Most importantly, Raymond was a man of God, and loved to read the Bible and share his faith as often as he could with family, friends, and anyone he met.
In addition to his loving wife Barbara Miuccio, Raymond is survived by his Children Paul Simon, Dina Simon-Cornish, Amanda Miuccio, Raelyn Speight; and his Grandchildren Paulie Simon, Francesca Simon, Tyler Cornish, Aydan & Joshua Speight, Logan Szego as well as numerous other family members and close friends.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday April 15th, 2023 from 1-5 pm, with a funeral service and military honors taking place at 3:30 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc. 895 Route 82 Hopewell Junction, NY. Entombment will take place on Monday April 17th, 2023 at 11:30 am at Fishkill Rural Cemetery, 801 Route 9, Fishkill, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Raymond's memory to either the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association www.billygraham.org , St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital www.stjude.org, or Gary Sinise Foundation www.garysinisefoundation.org/