Ray Pulford

Date of Birth

May 16,1949

Date of Death

Sep 03,2014

Ray A. Pulford, age 65, of Elburn, passed away at his home, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family following a brief but fierce struggle with cancer, Wednesday, September 3, 2014. If love could have saved him, he never would have left, but his legacy lives on in the hearts of his family and friends. He was born May 16, 1949, in Chicago, IL, the son of Robert and Helen (Hoagland) Pulford. Ray spent most of his growing up years in Medinah, IL, where he attended local schools. During his years at Lake Park High School, Ray excelled at football, track & field and gymnastics. He graduated with the class of 1967.Ray met the love of his life while roaming the halls of Lake Park High School. Cheryl Edelmann caught not only his eye, but his heart as well. They were married a year after Cheryl graduated, on September 27, 1969 at St. Walter’s Catholic Church in Roselle, IL.Soon after they returned from their honeymoon, Ray answered the call of his country. He proudly served with the United States Army in the ranks of the Military Police. After being honorably discharged in 1971, Ray returned to civilian life, not to mention his loving wife, settling in Bloomingdale, IL. In 1978, they built a new house in Elburn where they have since made their home, filling it with more love and memories with each passing year. Ray was man who could build anything with his hands and he proved it when he built a home for himself and his family. It began when he was thirteen and started working for a family friend’s construction company by sweeping the floor. He worked hard enough to buy his first car, which helped take him to various other companies over the years, but spent the last twelve years at A.J. Maggio Construction where he was superintendent. Ray eventually retired and invested his time into "ripping apart" his house, much to his wife’s chagrin. Ray was a proud member of the Carpenters Union Local #558 for forty years. Ray was a dedicated coach, teaching little kids to hit and field in Little League for ten years, and pass and catch the football for six. During his retirement years, Ray made sure his "workshop" churned out dining room tables and chairs for all his kids. Ray rarely put down his tools, but when he did, Ray was just as apt to pick up weeds in his garden filled every vegetable imaginable. He and Cheryl loved to travel, cruising the Caribbean, but Aruba was hands down their favorite destination. As alluring as the sandy beaches were, there was no place Ray would rather be than surrounded by his family, especially his grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Cheryl Pulford,Three children: Michael (Joanna Olech) Pulford, Tina (Dan) Parrilli and Ray (Lindsey) Pulford Jr.;Six grandchildren: Anthony Pulford, Torin Pulford, Olivia Parrilli, Owen Parrilli, Devin Pulford and Graycen Pulford;His mother and father-in-law, Theresa and Gabriel Edelmann;Sisters and brother-in-law, Gwen and Lester Gutz and Ann and Michael Goldstein;Several nieces and nephews;Many cousins and countryside of friends. He is preceded by his parents, Robert Pulford and Helen Hoagland and one brother, Robert "Bobby" Pulford. Visitation will be 3-6:30 p.m., with a Remembrance Service to follow at 7 p.m., Saturday, September 6, 2014, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. Family and friends will be invited to share their favorite music and memories of Ray. Private family interment will follow cremation at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Ray’s name. Checks may be made to the "Ray Pulford Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be 3-6:30 p.m., with a Remembrance Service to follow at 7 p.m., Saturday, September 6, 2014, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. Family and friends will be invited to share their favorite music and memories of Ray. Private family interment will follow cremation at a later date.

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