Raymond H. Grabinski

Raymond H. Grabinski, 76, of Meadville, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 24, 2013 at Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community.

He was born September 13, 1936 in Sewickley, a son of Henry and Genevieve Kosinski Grabinski.  He married Ruth Krell July 29, 1961.

Ray was a 1954 graduate of Ambridge High School and attended Robert Morris University.  He served 3 years in the Army National Guard at the Pittsburgh Airport followed by active duty in the U.S. Army from 1958-1961.  He was stationed in Germany for 2 years and 1 year at West Point.

In 1961, following his marriage to Ruth, they moved to Washington, PA where he went to work for Kelly & Cohen.  In 1964, Ray began his banking career with Mellon Bank in the Pittsburgh area.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1970 and was a graduate of the American Institute of Banking.  In 1990, Ray and Ruth moved to Meadville where he continued his career at Mellon, retiring in 1996 as a small loan officer following 36 years of service.

Ray served has an assistant teacher and teacher for the Dale Carnegie Leadership program over the years as well as a scout leader for the Boy Scouts of America and the Explorers.  He was a member of Grace Bible Church, Portersville.  An active volunteer for many years, Ray gave of his time and talents to the Folk Choir of St. Veronica Church and the Luther League of Our Saviors Church, both of Ambridge, Big Brothers and Sisters of Pittsburgh, and was a volunteer tax preparer through Active Aging of Crawford County.  He enjoyed the silver sneakers program at the Wellness Extension as well as golfing.

Ray’s most precious gifts were his three loving grandchildren who filled his life with joy.

Survivors, in addition to his loving wife Ruth of almost 52 years, include a daughter, Kristin J. Lieb and her husband James of Avon, OH; a son, R. Steven Grabinski and his wife Carol of Butler; three grandchildren, Stephen Jacob Grabinski and Maggie and Clay Lieb; a sister, Florence Kusnirak of Maybank, TX; and a niece Colleen Hinkley of Maybank, TX.

A memorial service will be Friday, July 5th at 11:00 a.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville with Pastor Joseph Pisano of Grace Bible Church, officiating.  Military honors will be provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006, Meadville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Crawford County, 446 Pine St., Meadville, PA 16335, Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute, 16792 Conneaut Lake Rd., Meadville, PA 16335, or Grace Bible Church, 602 Perry Hwy, Harmony, PA 16037.

Memories and condolences may be shared at waidfuneralhome.net.