Raymond J. Mik Sr. 97, beloved husband of the late Winifred (Minery) Mik for 70 years, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at MidState Medical Center.

Ray was born in Meriden on July 5, 1921, son of Floryan (John) Mik and Alexandria (Lillian) Szela Mik. He graduated from St. Stanislaus School and Meriden High School. During WWII he volunteered and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp where he served with the Reg. Weapons Co. 23 ^rd Marines 4 ^th Marine Division. He participated in all assault Beach head landings at Islands of Roi-Namur, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima where he landed in the 3 ^rd wave and survived the fierce fighting. He was awarded a citation by Commanding General Gates for "Excellent Service" in line of duty in combat action for his accuracy with his weapon which contributed to the destruction of the enemy.

Mr. Mik was a retired insurance representative for Prudential Insurance Company where he worked for 24 years. He was a gifted photographer, landscaper, a fan of UCONN Men and Women's basketball, made a mean beef stew which his son ate before every winning Maloney High School basketball game, and loved to get a great tan by the pool or ocean water.

He was very active in his community. Ray was appointed to the Parking Commission by Mayor Don Dorsey and served 7 years. Being a man of faith, he was always active at St. Stanislaus Church where he served as President of the Holy Name Society, a lector for 6 years at the Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center for 7 years. He also volunteered at the Meriden Wallingford Hospital for 17 years at the Information Desk and in 1997 was awarded the distinction of being Named "Volunteer of the Year" for his excellent service.

Ray was a member of the PLAV, Polish Falcons, Polish Knights of the Blessed Virgin, 4 ^th Marine Division Association, a life member of the DAV and a member of the Silver City Detachment Marine Corp league, serving as their paymaster for 33 years.

Mr. Mik is survived by his devoted daughter and health advocate Judy Mik, his son Randy Mik and daughter in law Donna Adduci Mik, granddaughters Brittany Mik Rotonda( Jamie) and Natalie Mik and his two great grandchildren Preston and Saylor Rotonda. He was predeceased by all of his brothers and sisters -Mary Mik Specyalski and her husband  Julian, Roselyn Mik Mahoney and her husband Eugene, Valerie Mik Pawluk and her husband Walter, Dorothy Mik Cook and her husband Robert, Evelyn Mik Bandecchi and her husband Andrew, brothers Edward and his wife Helen, and Robert Mik.

His family would like to extend thanks to Dr. William Farrell and Dr. Krzysztof Jakubowski for their excellent care and to the Passport nursing staff and aides at The Regency House of Wallingford. Special thanks to Lori Boober for her love and attention to Ray & Winnie

His funeral will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. from the Stempien Funeral Home, 450 Broad St. Meriden when the funeral cortege will proceed to St. Stanislaus Church for a Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Saturday morning Sept. 15 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at The Stempien Funeral Home. To send an online expression of sympathy please visit www.stempienfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Faustina Parish, 82 Akron St. Meriden, Ct. 06450 or the Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller St. Meriden, Ct 06450.