Raymond D. Brazak

Raymond Donald Brazak of Port Byron passed away peacefully with family by his side at the Commons on St. Anthony on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, following a brief illness.

Ray was born on May 16, 1938, in Auburn, New York, to Theodore and Wanda (Fabian) Brazak. In 1958, he graduated from Port Byron High School, where he played football, basketball, and baseball. He was well known as a talented shortstop in high school, for other area teams, and in the Army. Ray served in the Army from 1961 through 1963, stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama. He was an expert marksman and earned his unit’s physical fitness award. Ray came home and married Patricia Lombardo on September 8, 1962, at the St. John’s Church in Port Byron and the couple moved to Anniston, Alabama. Shortly after his return, Ray and his unit were restricted to base and on high alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962. While in Alabama, Ray and Patty welcomed their first child, Laura, in July of 1963. Following the Army years, they lived at Knapp’s Orchard, renting a house from Glenn and Harriet Knapp. Ray worked at the apple orchard until he began his career with the railroad in 1968. He worked as a rail inspector for over thirty years and was proud of his reputation among his co-workers as a good railroad man. His bright yellow railroad truck earned him the nickname ‘Mr. Sunshine’ among his family. He enjoyed riding the rails, and in the springtime, he often brought home asparagus and lilacs he found growing along the tracks.

Ray, along with his father and brothers, owned racehorses that ran at Vernon Downs and Batavia Downs, and a stockcar (#111), that raced at local speedways. Ray played softball, bowled in a bowling league, and spent time with his buddies at the Port Byron Legion. He was an avid supporter of his kids’ sports careers, attending home and away games. He enjoyed the races at the Weedsport Speedway and worked for a time as a flagman. Throughout his life, Ray was a hunter and fisherman and especially enjoyed ice fishing at Oneida Lake. He was a member of the Weedsport Rod & Gun Club for many years. In retirement, he enjoyed searching for coins and other treasures with his metal detector and watching the Yankees.

Ray is survived by his wife Patricia, their children Laura, Larraine, Timothy, Linda, Loretta, Lois, Thomas, and his son Mitchell Raeon and Mitchell’s mother, Rebecca. Ray is also survived by his siblings Robert, Theodore, Sandra and Carol, his grandchildren Magnolia, Abigail, Rachel, Amy and Matthew, and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. Ray was predeceased by his infant son, Raymond William Brazak, in 1964 and his niece, Deborah Brazak Gearing, in 2025.

A memorial service will be held at Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Romulus, New York on Friday, May 15 at 4:00 pm. Following the service, there will be a catered reception at the Port Byron American Legion.

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