Raymond Anthony Guardiano's Obituary
Few people have ever positively touched as many lives as Ray. He made us laugh, scratch our head in bewilderment and helped us enjoy each other. He was a teacher, mentor, road trip buddy, dedicated to his family and friends in the most selfless way imaginable. Ray definitely earned a beach house and a fishing boat in Heaven.
Ray’s dad was in the US Navy and one of his dad’s long time duty stations was Villefranche-sur-Mer, France. Ray’s love of traveling was part of his DNA. He spent his childhood exploring the town, attending grade school in Beaulieu, going on school field trips to beaches, historic sites and museums on the Cote D’Azur as well as enjoying annual family road trips throughout Europe. He loved traveling on European highways – seeing the amazing landscapes, coastal views and mountain panoramas and of course sampling all the local foods. He took Lola on pilgrimages to Fatima, the Holy Land, and to see the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany. Ray and George took Lola on numerous European trips. He orchestrated the 2012 family trip to France and Italy – with a special day trip to Villefranche.
Ray’s passion for photography was boundless. He had top notch cameras and accessories that he used to photograph anything and everything. He designated himself as the 1st string family photographer. He had boxes and boxes of pictures from traveling, fishing, solar projects and whatever else struck his fancy. He made slides and photos of all sizes to give to others and to keep. And in usual Ray fashion encouraged his nieces and nephews to become photographers by buying them cameras and accessories and giving them his books on photography.
Raymond joined the Kearny High School ROTC in 10th grade. Lifelong friendships were developed over Drill Team practices, rehearsals and competitions. Their Easter camp at Fort Ord created many hilarious moments …. Like the Drill Sergeant not thinking Ray was running but he was running on his short legs as fast as he could.
Ray was a fixture in and around fishing landings in San Diego. If you went out for a long range fishing trip on the Searcher, he was usually there. His “efficacious” personality and positive attitude drew in fellow fishermen … long time friendships were made. The fishing buddies group included family and friends. They would often go on the same long range fishing trips together. Often times the fishing buddies would get together at the Fred Hall Show in Long Beach to spend money on the latest gadgets.
One of Ray’s proudest adventures was as a SDSU student in the ‘90’s building and racing a solar car in Australia. The friendships that grew from the camaraderie with his fellow adventurers continue to this day. Ray was about helping other people reach their dreams whether it was engineering students building solar powered race cars and human powered submarines. He also helped his engineering students with a community service project, building solar water heaters for Tijuana orphanages. He fostered an espirit d’ corps with all his students through working with them on their projects, having beach bonfires at La Jolla Shores and bringing them to a family BBQ dinner. He talked to them about their majors, job options and career opportunities. Over the years, Ray wrote many letters of recommendations in support of his student’s aspirations.
Ray was a good name for him because he brightened the world wherever he went and the world is a better place because he was here.
A hui hou. We love you
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