Obituaries for week of April 25, 2019

Published on: April 25, 2019

Joseph J. Mafale

1920-2019
Joseph J. Mafale, at the age of 98, has passed away in Sun City Center, Fla. He also has a home on Cedar Lake in Bristol, Conn.
He was a World War II Army Veteran, serving in Egypt with the Central Intelligence Department.
He is survived by his beloved Lezlie Darwin Pitzer of 29 years; two daughters: Frances (Joe) Sirko and her two sons, Jason and Joey Sirko of Connecticut; Charlotte Holbrook and her two daughters, Kim and Sherry of Michigan; 10 great-grandchildren; and becoming a great-great grandpa was no trouble at all. Joseph’s sister’s, Graciella’s, children live in Sicily. Born in Sicily in 1920, he came to America when he was 10 on the SS Roma with only a bugle and not speaking English, but it only took him a year to learn to speak it. It seemed to be a European-bred ability — he spoke some of just about every language, even the ones you would not expect anyone to know, including a Haitian dialect. He even knew their musical beats.
Vickie Mafale, of Bristol, is his sister-in-law. Mafale Plaza in Connecticut was family owned with his brother Nate. Joseph also had two half brothers, Charlie and Arthur. Nesi Travel Corporation was individually owned for over 30 years, spinning off the insurance and Real Estate branches.
Services will be held in the Connecticut area with family only.
Joseph was a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in SCC and was active in The Pelican Players Kings Point Follies, The Italian Club, the Elks, and he drove for Good Samaritans. Joseph wants you to smile and dance the Tango — your quality of life depends on it — and express kindness everyday. He believed in financially supporting local children, Feline Folks and C.A.R.E., among many others. Joseph was all about supporting local businesses and individual people who have been the backbone of building and maintaining our town’s development.

Patricia Mills

Patricia “Pat” Mills went to be with her Lord, peacefully on April 10, 2019, with her loving husband of 19 years, Alan by her side. She is also survived by brother Mike (Judy) Ryan; sister Sandra (Vernon) Perry; three sons, Paul, Robert and Timothy Visnovec; seven grandchildren, Heather, Jessica, Brian, Aaron, Caitlin, Allegra, and Rayna; five great-grandchildren, Colin, Evan, Tyler, Noel, and John Luke.
Pat was born in Tampa to Mary and Jerry Ryan on June 10, 1942. Pat, her sister and two brothers were blessed to be raised by a loving Christian Mom. Jerry her brother predeceased her.
Pat attended Tampa Christian schools and graduated from HCC at the age of 35 with a degree in nursing. She practiced at St. Joseph Hospital before going on to public health and Hospice. She finished her nursing with AHCA. Pat was a long time member of Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon and then in Apollo Beach. She loved our Lord and professed her faith to family and friends.
Three out of the past four years Pat and Alan traveled the country in a motor home seeing all but seven states, enjoying so much of our beautiful country, keeping family and friends updated with pictures via Facebook. Funeral at Bell Shoals Baptist Church Apollo Beach Campus. Internment at Garden of Memories next to her brother Jerry.

Helen Ray

Mrs. Helen Ray passed away on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. God called this faithful woman home to His Kingdom. Mrs. Ray will be cremated by the Crematory of Greater Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida. There will not be a memorial service, upon Mrs. Ray’s request. Her ashes will be taken back to her home town in Galveston, Texas, for her resting site.
She and her husband Ronald Ray resided at 302 S. Pebble Beach Blvd. Ron Ray and family members appreciate all your prayers and warm words of condolences.
Mrs. Ray, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, was born on November 12, 1937 to Euby and Patrice Roberts, who are both deceased. She leaves behind her husband, Ronald E. Ray, whom she was married to for six years. She was preceded in death by two of her daughters, Denise Arlene Vollendorf, of California and April Jeanne Lord, of Lake City, Florida. Surviving children are daughters Rene Lorraine Renfroe from Staunton, Illinois; Marrie Collette “Angel” Masiero of Staunton, Illinois; and son William Orley Lawson of Lake City, Florida. Helen was loved by 27 lovely grandchildren, eight lovely great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Helen and Ronald Ray moved to Sun City Center in 2016 from Alabama. In the short amount of time, they fell in love with the community of Sun City Center. She was a lovely person, well recognized throughout the community.
Helen was affiliated with SouthShore United Church of Christ, Sun City Center, Florida. She was a member of Club Manor Homeowner Association.
Family is requesting, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Tampa Shriners Childrens Hospital, 12502 USF Pine Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, in the name of Helen Ray. We thank you for your donations.