Raymond J. Waid

Raymond J. “Ray” Waid, 62, of Meadville, died unexpectedly at home, Saturday, April 19, 2008.

Ray was born in Meadville, February 4, 1946 a son of Homer and Vicki Lysowski Waid.  He was a beloved family man and for more than 20 years was very involved with the Crawford County Youth Hockey Assoc.  His energy was endless for his family and his passions.  Those passions included Pittsburgh Penguins hockey, Pirate baseball, his 1979 Honda motorcycle and Steeler football which he enjoyed sharing with his family and friends.

Ray graduated from Conneaut Lake High School in 1964.  He served in the US Army in Germany from 1966 – 1969.  He attended Edinboro University.  He loved learning, especially math and was always thinking.

Ray worked at Starn Tool in Meadville, with people that he felt were part of his extended family.  He was a coach and mentor for literally hundreds of children with CCYHA youth hockey.  He was the 1983 Gopher softball fan of the year.

Ray married his best friend, Debra “Debbie” Bossard on October 22, 1977, whom he adored.  He had 4 fabulous children, 2 girls and 2 boys: Lisa Waid Shuffstall and Lori Waid Thomas who both live locally and Tracy Raymond Waid of Ithaca, NY and Emmett Paul Waid of Pittsburgh.  Ray also parented Daisy and Bill McHargue, Jesse Donahue Brown, Jack and Shaon Donahue and Jade Donahue.  He was available to any child who needed/wanted his time.  He has 7 grandchildren: Justin and Emily Shuffstall, Adam and Joshua Thomas, Ari, Ira and Ada McHargue all live locally.  He has many nieces and nephews who also loved him, including 3 that were especially close to him: Brett and Kelsey Barnes of Pittsburgh and Lindsey Waid of Amherst, MA.  Ray is also survived by 2 brothers and 2 sisters, Charlie Waid of Conneaut Lake, John Waid of Wyoming, Helen Yettaw and her husband Dennis of Weeki Wachee, FL and Suzanne Waid of Seattle, WA.  Ray is also survived by Sue and Bill Barnes, sister-in-law and brother-in-law who loved him dearly.  Ray has other brothers/sisters-in-law that do not live locally and many other members of the Lysowski family that get together at least annually.

His dear mother, Vicki Waid, father, Homer Waid, brother, Paul Waid and nephew Michael Waid, preceded him in death.

Calling hours will be Friday from 1-5 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville.  The memorial service will follow at 5 p.m.

The family suggests memorial be made to the family in care of Debra Waid, 22001 Hunter Road, Meadville, PA 16335.