Ray W. Pietryla, 96, passed away peacefully the morning of October 10, 2024, at his home in Indian Head Park, Illinois.

Ray, born on August 29, 1928, in the Brighton Park neighborhood of Chicago, was the last of seven children born to Anthony and Mary (née Szafran) Pietryla. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Stefania, John (the late Theresa), Walter (the late Pauline), Frank (the late Jean), and Edward (the late Helen) Pietryla, and Helen Jurasek (the late Albert).

Also preceding him in death in 2015 was his wife of 58 years, Jacqueline “Jackie” (née Nagel) Pietryla. He leaves behind his doting daughters Gail Pietryla Tait, Susan Pietryla, and Julie (James Ritchie) Pietryla, his loving grandchildren Kevin (James Sarver) Tait and Kacey Tait, brother-in-law Cole Giovannoni, and many adoring nieces, nephews, friends, and relatives in Poland.

Ray graduated from Kelly High School in Chicago in 1946, after which time enlisted in the Army, serving honorably from October 1946 to March 1948, earning a World War II Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal during the postwar occupation of Italy. On the GI bill, he earned his BS and MS degrees from Northern Illinois State Teachers College (now Northern Illinois University), where he was a collegiate wrestler. He was a physical education and health teacher for decades for Chicago Public Schools, Triton College, La Grange School District 105, and finally a professor at Moraine Valley Community College, where he was named a Master Teacher in 1987 and co-founded the Chester Alan Arthur Society.

Ray enjoyed traveling, including to far-flung places such as China and Africa, as well as snow-birding with Jackie in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. He enjoyed tennis and bowling throughout most of his life. He and his brothers John, Wally, and Frank were the Men’s Handicap Champions of the 1973 Chicago Bowling Association City Tournament. In his later years, his passion was genealogy. He also loved going to Pietryla family picnics, playing board games, and generally spending time with his family and friends.

The family would like to thank everyone at Home Instead, especially Vicky, Zion, Bola, Mercy, and Taira, and all the other caregivers who helped care for our father at home.

Visitation will be held Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 West 55th Street, Countryside, Illinois, from 3:00 until time of Memorial Service at 5:30. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Red Cross or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital would be appreciated.