Raymond John Pfab 1945-2011

PFAB, HUHUREZ, BURDS, MORKEN

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 7/25/2017 at 22:20:18

Dubuque Telegraph Herald - December 27, 2011

BERNARD, Iowa -- Raymond John Pfab, 66, of Monroe, Ohio, formerly of Bernard, passed away at 12:51 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, after a courageous battle with mesothelioma cancer. Ray remained true to his character by always portraying his strength and positive attitude right to the end.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 30, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, with Monsignor Wayne Ressler officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Garryowen Church Cemetery, Bernard, where military rites will be accorded by the Cascade American Legion Post 528. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at the funeral home.

He was born on Aug. 17, 1945, in Dubuque, son of John and Viola Pfab. He married the love of his life, Gaby Huhurez, on July 30, 2010. She became his caretaker during the whole cancer process, and Ray made it very clear to his family and others that without her, he would of passed much earlier. She was an unbelievable cook, which helped maintain his health and weight. She also was in the pharmacy profession, where she was able to assist Ray as to when to take his medication, which also assisted in maintaining his overall strength and health.

He was diagnosed with cancer in July 2010 and had been treated at the well-known Cleveland Clinic and at the Atrium Hospital in Middletown, Ohio. He had undergone seven chemo treatments at the clinic and also had surgery in January 2011, during which a baseball-sized tumor was removed from his left lower lung. Following that, he underwent six chemo treatments at the Atrium Hospital in Middletown.

Ray was a true entrepreneur; he owned and operated two separate businesses. He operated a household furniture, carpeting and appliance business for 20 years from 1977 to 1997. In 2006, he started another business in the water industry. Working with consumers, he sold, installed and serviced water treatment systems that gave the consumer confidence and protection in their water quality. He operated this business up until July 2010 when he diagnosed with cancer.

Ray joined the military (United States Navy) in June 1963 and served until July 1965. He was stationed on the ship USS Springfield, which was itself stationed in Villa, France. He did a two-year tour of the ports in the Mediterranean Sea. His ship was a guided missile cruiser serving with the 6th Fleet, carrying the admiral aboard. He had a two-year deployment and visited many ports such as France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Venice, Puerto Rico and Yugoslavia.

Ray lived his life to the absolute fullest. He enjoyed outdoor activities, including hiking and golf. His competitive nature shone through during the events.

He tried to always maintain a positive attitude, and when others were down, he would motivate them to feel much better about themselves and the situation they were in. He was kind and considerate and always put the other person first and he came second, which was just his nature.

Surviving are his wife, Gaby (Huhurez) Pfab; and his siblings, Richard (Sandy) Pfab, Clarence (Bertha) Pfab, Veronica (Al) Burds, Eileen Morken, Eugene (Karen) Pfab, Bob (fiancee, Barb) Pfab, Roger (Linda) Pfab, Carl (Leslie) Pfab and Delbert (Nancy) Pfab.

He was preceded in death by his father, John, and mother, Viola; and five brothers, a baby in infancy, David, Gary, Melvin and Leroy Pfab.