Raymond Walter Zitella

Poland - Raymond Walter Zitella, 92, died December 4, 2016 at the Inn at Christine Valley. Mr. Zitella was born July 10, 1924 in Clarksburg, WV, a son of William and Josephine Colaccia Zitella.

A graduate of Victory High School, Ray went on to work for Republic Steel. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served during WWII in Europe. Ray was a long time member of St. Nicholas Church in Struthers before joining Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica in 2015. He also was a member of Golden Eagles, Holy Name Society, Boy Scouts, and the Struthers VFW Post 3538. Ray enjoyed bowling, golf, and he was a great dancer.

His wife, Philomena Anita Zitella, whom he married June 14, 1947 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Basilica, died Feb. 6, 2015.

He is survived by a daughter, Deborah Ann Zitella of Boardman; a son, Raymond Walter (Norman) Zitella Jr. of San Diego; two grandchildren, Daniel Stuart (Jennifer Watters) Hagg of Portland, OR and Leslie Lynn (Scott) Seidel of North Royalton; six great-grandchildren, Braeden Binger, Annalisa Hagg, Axel Stephen Hagg, Liesl Seidel, Arianna Hagg, and Sesilie Seidel;

Besides his parents and wife, Ray was preceded in death by six sisters, Annie Fazzini, Pasqualina Magalotti, Clara Zitella, Caroline Fernandez, Edith Vukovitch, Jessica Huet; and four brothers, John, Joseph, James, and Leslie Zitella.

A prayer service will be held Monday at 9:15AM at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St., Poland, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at  Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Basilica at 10:00AM with the Very Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Cariglio Jr. officiating. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Friends and family will be received Sunday from 4-7PM at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to the Greater East Ohio Area Chapter Alzheimer's Association, 70 W. Streetsboro St., Suite 201, Hudson, OH 44236.

Condolences may be sent at www.beckerobits.com.