It is with profound sadness that our family announces the passing of Romeo “Ray” Cirone at the age of 76 years, with family by his side. God called him home on Wednesday August 14th, 2019, at Bethell Hospice in Inglewood.
Ray was born in Castiglione A Casauria, Italy on January 13, 1943, and was the youngest of three children. The family immigrated to Canada in 1952 to Port Colborne, ON. Ray received his CMA in his early 20s, and was the General Manager of a Plastics Company for 37 years. On September 21st, 1974 he married Catherine Jane Maurice and shortly after started a family of two daughters, Melanie and Ginny, and one son, Eric.
Ray enjoyed the simple things in life: spending time with family and friends, playing cards – predominantly poker, having a glass of red wine, reading the paper, playing a round of golf and telling silly stories to his children and grandchildren. Ray was known for his quiet, strong, and reassuring way, at home, and in business. A well-loved leader and mentor in the business world, Ray led his company to success with drive, passion, fairness and compassion. To know him, was to love him. There wasn’t anything that was too much for Ray – you needed a shoulder, advice, or support, he was there. He was a special lovely gem that will be forever missed in this world.
Ray was preceded in death by his father, Paolo, his mother, Virginia (Nonni), and his brother Tino. He is survived by his wife Cathy, three children Melanie (Chris) Baron, Ginny (Adam) De Cloet, his #1 son Eric (Jamey) Cirone, as well as his eight grandchildren; Sydney (11), Maddie (9), Logan (8), Raymond (5), Caleb (5), Roman (5), Rosie (4) & Violet (2). Held dearly in the heart of his sister Josephine (Filiberto) Digregorio, as well as his sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
The family will receive their friends and family at Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street South (Hwy 50) Bolton on Monday afternoon 2-4 pm and evening 6 – 8 pm. Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, 60 Allan Drive Bolton on Tuesday morning, August 20 at 10 am (leaving funeral home at 9:45 a.m.).
Donations to Bethell Hospice are graciously welcomed.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Dante Ciccone
Cathy and family. our deepest condolences in the loss of Romeo. A great role model for all of us. We have had the pleasure of knowing him most of our lives. He will be surely missed. Rest in eternal peace with our savior. God bless you all.
Dante & Cynthia
Mario & Bobbie
Ciccone
Sharon Savini
My condolence to you Cathy and the family, may your family cherish all the wonderful memories.
Wendy McCarthy
Dear Cirone Family,
Please accept my heartfelt condolences at the passing of this lovely man. Though I didn’t have the privilege of meeting him in person, his wonderful personality, nature and essence has been shared so well with me that I feel like I actually did (and certainly wish I had!). How fortunate to have had this devoted, “lovely gem” anchoring your family. His light and legacy is clearly indelible and will prove to be an ongoing source of comfort and inspiration for all of you, your children and your children’s children. Revel in the beautiful memories and know that he must be so very proud of you all and the love that you have for each other. Wishing you peace and healing for your wounded hearts.
Trevor Lee - Regional Director - Polymershapes Canada
To the Cirone Family. Our sincere condolences in the loss of a truly great person. I had the absolute privilege to work with Ray for over 35 years and I am a better person for it. Ray was a true gentleman. He cared for and about everyone. I am rich with fond memories of our times together.
Our entire community is better because Ray immersed himself with not just Canada, but the U.S. and Mexico as well. He was always a steadying influence in difficult times. A person of great character and unyielding integrity.
On behalf of Polymershapes Canada, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Trevor Lee
Jean Farndon
Dear Cathy, children and grandchildren.
Our thoughts and prayers are sent your way.
Good bye dear friend and Rest In Peace.
Maybe you and Gord can play a round of golf or have a
serious poker game.
Jean.
Brian robertson
Sorry for your lost cathy &family I work for ray for 27 years first at cadallic plastic in shipping then at polymershapes as warehouse supervisor God bless you and your family
Elaine Ruprecht
Dear Cathy and Family,
Leo and I send you our condolences with heartfelt sadness Prayers and thoughts to you all and to Ray’s siblings and their families.
Our thoughts are with you and yours.
Elaine & Leo
Tamara and Stephen Niepage
We are so sad to hear of Rays passing and want to offer all of you our deepest condolences. We hope that all of the wonderful memories made together sustain you at this very sad time.
Tamara and Steve Niepage
Bob Galamaga
Bev and Bob Galamaga
Our condolences to Cathy and the Family.
Ray was a kind wonderful caring person, and a great friend to all that knew him.
He will be truly missed, by all of us.
Rae Townsend
My personal condolences to Cathy and the extended Cirone family. We may have lost from this earth for now, but will never forget (Romeo) Ray; the husband, father, grandfather, uncle and brother, amongst all those numerous friendships he gleaned and nourished throughout his life time.
Nearing my own 40 years of lasting and fond personal memories with Ray, I can say with certainty absolutely nothing brought him more joy, comfort and laughter than our shared discussions of family. All of which he spoke with pride, as his beaming smile and animated strong voice would always reflect.
Ray was a rare man amongst men, while evidencing exemplary personal integrity, ethics and a selfless character. All who knew him were indeed blessed by his presence, mentorship, coaching and learned counsel. But, Ray and Cathy’s shared family were always first and foremost in their life’s mind, while being attentive in their unconditional love for their children and grandchildren.
My special prayers and heartfelt thoughts are with the whole Cirone family, as we collectively shall never lessen or forget our unique friendships and most loving family memories of Ray.
Rae Townsend
Bruce and Jude Batty
The world has lost a great man that has influenced many. His character was flawless. We will always cherish the memories we have of him. Our most heartfelt condolences go your way. We will miss him.
Walter Gelsumini
To Cathy and the Cirone family, my deepest condolences to you and your loved ones. I am truly saddened by his passing.
I had the pleasure of being hired by Ray at 18, and worked with and along side a great Mentor for nearly 30 years. Many fine, funny, and helpful moments I was fortunate to share with him.
His passing will be sadly missed by Many who crossed his path.
I’m sure he’s teeing off right now in the Great Big Sky.
God Bless
Walter Gelsumini
Frank and Sue Di Bartolomeo
Our sincere condolences to the Cirone and Digregorio families. We are very saddened by the loss of such a great man. We have such fond memories of Romeo and his family growing up in Port Colborne. I had the privilege of having a meal and reminiscing together at the last Torre dei Passeri reunion.
You will all be in our thoughts and prayers.
God Bless!
Frank and Sue Di Bartolomeo
Jim and Carol Anne La Rose
Our hearts ache for your loss. May God bless you and your family.
“Love like the ocean is vast and forever
And sorrow but a shadow that moves over the sea.
May the forever of love soon bear the grief of these hours away from your heart”.
With deepest sympathy.
Jim and Carol Anne La Rose
John Weeks
My condolences to Cathy and Family,
I am so sad to hear about the passing of Ray, i am truly grateful honoured and blessed to have known this amazing, kind gentle Man. Who inspired and guided me
Ray will always be in my thoughts ,my prayers, and my heart.
God Bless.
Suzanne Augustyn
KATHY AND FAMILY WE WERE SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT RAY…WE HAD MANY
GOOD TIMES WITH YOU. STEVE @ I WILL REMEMBER HIS LAUGH AND THE LOVE OF
HIS FAMILY AND CADILLAC FRIENDS
LOVE
STEVE @ SUE AUGUSTYN
Jessica & Anthony Fera
To Cathy and the Cirone Family,
We are truly sorry for your loss, our deepest condolences to you and your loved ones. We are saddened by his loss, he was a wonderful neighbour and will be missed.
dale reid
Not only a good next door neighbor, but a great friend also after 15+ years. Will miss you on the porch side by side you having a drink of wine & me having a beer.
Will miss you my friend.
Condolences to All the Cirone family.
Keep strong & I’m always around to help out.
Dale & Tracy
Sara Budd
Dear Cirone Family,
Sincere condolences for your loss. Sending our prayers and love at this difficult time.
With deepest sympathy; Sara Mezzone-Budd and Family
John L. Farrell
It is with very deep sorrow and sadness that I heard of the passing of a very dear and deeply respected and admired colleague and mentor. I had the opportunity and good fortune to know and work for Mr. Cirone for approximately 20 years at Universal, Cadillac, and then at GE Polymershapes.
My heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathies to Mrs. Cirone and the entire Cirone family. May the Lord ease your pain and sorrow during this sad time.
Mr. Cirone was a man of profound human qualities. His loyalty to the corporation was not unmatched with his humanity for the wellbeing of the business man – he, being always conscious of corporate social justice. A true leader, Mr. Cirone was a man generous of heart, kind, and compassionate – exemplary traits witnessed by all – colleagues, employees and clients alike. He was a leader par excellence who personified integrity. His passing is a sad loss, not only to the business world that still looked up to him, but also to a man like myself. He had a profound influence on promoting and maintaining a business ethic appreciated by one and all. It sure made all of whom he came in contact with, have a deep respect and love for the man.
With Mr. Cirone’s passing comes the end of an era of a business culture, humanity and integrity rarely seen in the business world. His legacy will remain forever with all who knew and worked for him. If the good Lord made anybody better than Mr. Cirone, He kept him to Himself.
His passing seems surreal – to all of us who knew him, and I am sure for all the family to have lost such a great soul. I once read a verse that most befits a man of his stature:
When we die, look for us not in the earth but in the hearts of men. (Rumi)
He sure has left an imprint on all our hearts.
May the Lord’s blessings rest his soul in eternal peace. Amen.
John L. Farrell
Brenda Costantini
Dearest Cathy and family
Our sincerest sympathies and heartfelt condolences on Romeo’s passing
So saddened to hear
We just saw him weeks ago
I’m sure he has joined an exclusive group of angels and was welcomed into the kingdom with open arms
Our love
Brenda Costantini servello and family xo
Dale & Tracy Reid
There a no words that can explain with Ray’s passing. Such a vibrant person, golfing 2-3 times/weeks at the gym also.
Ray you were a great neighbor for so many years but also a friend with my family will cherish forever.
Having a glass of wine & a cigar on your porch & me having a beer & ciiggie at the same time will be remembered always as just talking about our families. He was such as proud father & grandfather & mostly a husband to Cathy.
Will miss you Ray & condolences to the Cirone family.
Keep strong.
Mitch & Carole’ Ann Bowyer
Dear Cathy and Family,
As a “would be Canadian” I have always valued Ray as a business colleague and friend. He was a great man and without a doubt was a real influence in my life. We fondly remember and cherish the time we spent together with you and Ray at the Preakness and in Washington DC. I think that I have played golf with Ray each time I have visited Canada since I retired. And that is in addition to countless golf outings as business colleagues. Maybe he can finally fix that monster slice in Heaven.
Please accept our sincere condolences. We will keep you in our prayers.
Mitch & Carole’ Ann Bowyer
Donna Varrasso
Cathy and Family
Ray was a very special member of our Family. He will truly be missed every day.
Donna Tony & Julianna
Tellos and Monique
It was with overwhelming sadness that we received the news of Ray’s passing. A long-time friend and customer, he would always be there whether it was early mornings at the hockey arena, or early mornings at the coffee shop. Ray will be greatly missed. Our deepest condolences to Ray’s friends and family.
Tellos, Monique and the Charalambides Family
Anna Corvaro
Our deepest condolences.
We will always remember his wonderful smile and kind heart.
Sarah Varrasso
Anna Maria Corvaro (Varrasso)
Denise Taccone (Varrasso)
and families.
Steve Middleton
Condolences to Cathy and Family.
It is with great sadness the passing of Ray. The world has one less honorable person we will all miss. You were always a gentleman and i will miss your friendship.
Cheryl Warrender
My condolences to the Cirone Family. I had the pleasure to work with Mr Cirone for 5 years. Mr Cirone will be missed.
Viviane Marin
Dear Cathy and family,
We are very saddened to hear of Ray’s passing. He was an amazing neighbour and a true gentleman. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Ennio & Viviane Marin
Philip D Costantini
Our sincere condolences, and prayers for the entire Cirone family. Ray you will be sincerely missed, a tremendous personality and loving person.
Blessings and prayers once again to the entire family.
Rest In Peace Romeo.
Philip D Costantini & Family
Chairs Lariccia
Our deep and sincere condolences. Chairs Lariccia and family.
Cathy and Harold Camilleri
Mel, Chris, Sydney, Logan and Caleb we were shocked to hear of your Dad’s (Grandpa’s) passing. Thank goodness you have photos and memories from your recent holiday that you can treasure forever. You are all in our thoughts and we will keep you and your whole family in our prayers at this difficult time.
Margaret Fleetwood
Sincere condolences to you Cathy and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Margaret
Lily Vacek and family
Dear Cathy, Melanie, Ginny, Eric and your families,
Our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies go out to you at this very difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May the thought that Ray will remain with you forever as part of you, comfort your pain.
Deep sorrow and sadness overwhelmed me when I heard the news of Ray’s short illness and passing. When you meet such a great person like Ray and work with him closely for more than 20 years, you tend to think that he will be around forever. I have always looked up to Ray. I admired him as he showed no fear and did everything his way. A true leader and a wonderful human being who loved his own family and took pride in looking after his Polymershapes family. He was my great teacher and mentor as I am sure, many others he worked with. He left a positive mark on many lives.
Ray, you are missed and will stay in our memories forever. Rest in peace dear friend.
“No coming, no going,
No after, no before,
I hold you close,
I release you to be free,
I am in you
And you are in me” Thich Nhat Hanh
LILY VACEK and family
Laura Andreana
Our condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. May you be comforted by the outpouring of love surrounding you.
Sincerely, The Andreana Family
Jo-Anne Dumaresq
Dear Cathy,
I am so sorry that you have lost Ray. My prayers and love go out to you and your family. I am also praying for Ray. God bless you.
Steven MacDougall
Steven and Janet MacDougall
Cathy and Family
Ray was a great friend and mentor for the last 10 years.
I will remember and cherish our lunches together talking about business and our families
Those wonderful days on the golf course, always followed by a cigar and wine.
Our sincere condolences in this sad and difficult time.
Steven and Janet MacDougall
Jimmy D'Attellis
Sincere condolences to you Cathy and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
God bless
Jimmy D’Attellis
Rosemary Smiarowski
Dear Cathy and family,
We were so sorry to hear of Romeo’s passing. He really was a gentle giant, always there for family no matter the distance, always with a kind word and a warm hug. Sincere condolences from Greg and Rosemary Smiarowski (Di Battista) and family.
Jackie McClements
To the Cirone family,
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. We are friends of Ginny, Adam, Maddie and Romans’ and through them we saw the beautiful family man that Ray was. I feel so strongly that the family will continue to live that legacy that he left behind. May you all find peace and know that he left the world so very loved by all of you. Sincerest condolences and all of our love.
Jackie, Sean and Madison McClements
Bob Brown
So sad to hear of the passing of a great leader, mentor and friend Mr. Ray Cirone. In my long working career the best thing that ever happened was the opportunity in 2003 to join Ray at Polymershapes. I owe him so much. There are many others who could say the same. To paraphrase another great leader from another era on August 20, 1940, “Never was so much owed by so many to one person”.
Outside of work probably the best times I had with Ray were on the golf course. He never took it too seriously and would hang in and finish the round even when the weather turned really ugly. That happened a few times. There was Ray with no hat and no rainwear determined to finish. No quit in Ray on the golf course. And whenever I asked him what club he was hitting, it seemed it was always a nine iron. Didn’t matter where we were on the course, it was a nine iron.
Of all of Ray’s accomplishments, the one he was most proud of was his family. Whenever Ray came to visit the office after his retirement, our first topic of discussion was his growing family, and he and Cathy’s newest grandchild. He loved to talk family. I know he was a terrific husband, father, father-in-law, and nonno.
To Cathy and the family, thank you for sharing Ray with all of us. We’re all better people for it. And our very heartfelt condolences on such a great loss.
To my friend Ray:
Grazie per tutto quello che hai fatto per me. Fino a quando ci incontreremo di nuovo, riposa in pace. E salvami un posto al primo tee.
Patrick
Cirone family,
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I worked in the same Industry with Ray for several years, and considered him a mentor…he was a true gentlemen and professional. Please accept my condolences, and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Patrick Warner
mlabonte@guillevin.com
Hi Cathy and family. I am truly shocked and saddened as I had no idea of losing Ray this recently. As you know Ray grew up way ahead of many of us in the Engineering Plastics business back in the 70s and 80s. We enjoyed the pleasures of his business acumen , mentoring , coaching and friendship for many years! An outstanding family man and father for Mel , Ginny and Eric and their extended families. A true friend, ambassador and statesmen for life. We will miss him dearly. Michael Labonte, Vancouver
Frank and Paulette tomassini
We are so sorry for your loss, Cathy and family.
I would see him at church regularly and at Zehrs shopping.
An old friend from Wright Cr.
A big hug from both of us…
Just heard about Ray’s passing yesterday.
Tina Daalderop
I just heard about Ray’s passing and want to extend my condolences to you all. I feel very fortunate, Cathy, to see you from time to time, but haven’t seen Ray since you moved from Wright Crescent. However, your time living there left me many good memories of Ray and family !
I will be thinking about you all as you go through this difficult time.
Sam Harding
To the Cirone family. Please except my deepest sympathy. I just heard of Ray’s passing today from an old co-worker of Cadillac Plastic. Ray was an amazing man. He gave me many chances to succeed in the plastic industry. I personally have had many great times with Ray. He will be missed dearly.
Edward (Sam) Harding
Helmut Eichmann
Having been absent from Canada for many years now, I have just learned of Ray’s passing . I have had the pleasure and the privilege to work for him for a number of years and can only echo the sentiments which are expressed in the obituaries above: He was indeed a true gentleman, and an inspiration to those who had the pleasure to know him. I am deeply saddened by his passing.
Helmut Eichmann