Obituary of Raymond Joseph Bordynski

November 28, 2013 Raymond passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 28, 2013 at age 95. Prominent funeral director and dedicated public servant. Attended Syracuse University and Syracuse Simmons School of Mortuary Science. World War II veteran who served & trained at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC. Served 3 yrs in the US Army in the Theater of European Operations as a surgical medical technician. Ray founded Bordynski Funeral Home in 1945 and retired in 1980. He served on the Syracuse Common Council, County Board of Supervisors, was County Legislator and then spent 20 years on the Syracuse Planning Commission. In his day, Ray was active in many professional, government, and church related activities. He was a member of the Republican Citizen’s Committee, Empire State Republican Council, West End Republican Club, Syracuse Boys’ Club Old Boys Association, Honorary Member Onondaga-Oswego Funeral Directors Association, Sacred Heart Parish Council, Sacred Heart Holy Name Society, Honorary Member of IJ Paderewski Choir, active in St Stanislaus and St Joseph societies, as well as St Louis Club and Polish Home. He was a trustee for Myrtle Hill Cemetery for over 30yrs and managed Sacred Heart Cemetery for 8 yrs. Member of American Legion Post 41, Polish Legion American Veterans Post 14, Conley Nojaim Post 30, Polish American Veterans WWII Post 1 and the West End Survivors’ Club.Honorary member of the YMCA (SYAC Club) for over 60 years, playing handball for 30+ years. He found great camaraderie at the Y and was known as the “Goodwill Ambassador” at his ‘2nd home’. A lounge, TV, and plaque were dedicated to Ray from the ‘Y guys’ in honor of his 80th birthday for his years of personal service.Ray is survived by his loving wife of almost 51 yrs, Mary M. (Kalina), two wonderful daughters, Deborah (Gregory) Vangellow and Alexandria (Russell) Schwartzbeck, both in the Rochester area; 3 grandsons-Conner & Parker Vangellow and Andrew Schwartzbeck; 2 granddaughters, Madison Vangellow and Elisabeth Schwartzbeck. Calling Hours : Wednesday 4 to 7 PM Hollis Funeral Home 1105 West Genesee Street Syracuse. Funeral Services: Thursday 10:30 AM in The Basilica of The Sacred Heart of Jesus Burial with Military Honors will be held in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Geddes. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Felician Sisters Health and Wellness Center, 600 Doat St, Buffalo, NY 14211; SPAC, 5878 E. Molloy Rd, Mattydale, NY 13211: or Sacred Heart Basilica, 927 Park Ave, Syracuse, NY 13204.