Raymond Tonelli

Ray had an older brother, Arthur Jr. (Arcee), and a sister, Kathy, who was born eleven years later.

Ray, a shy little boy, went to nearby Culbertson School for kindergarten through third grade. Ray transferred to St. Bernard's, where a cousin of Art's, Sister Theodore, taught third grade. He stayed at St. Bernard's through fifth grade. For 6th grade, Ray transferred to St. Mary Magdellan, a new school, which was much closer to home. He graduated in 1956.

Ray's high school years were at Joliet Catholic. There, Ray began playing baseball and basketball. Even though he was short - many called him "Peewee" - he played hard and excelled!

After graduating from Joliet Catholic, Ray spent a year working for a painting contractor. He continued painting to earn money for his education, working summers. He became a good painter and enjoyed it. He used his painting skills during the summers, even after he started his teaching career.

After one year of painting and playing on the local baseball team, Ray started taking some classes at Joliet Junior Community College. Then, he transferred to George Williams College on the south side of Chicago. George Williams' was considered a leading physical education school. There, he had a curriculum that emphasized the sciences and physical education.

Ray would tell many stories about his years attending GW. He excelled in basketball (he had a growth spurt after high school), lettering, and becoming the team captain. He had some humorous roommate stories. In addition, he was particularly proud of his ability to neatly print his many school papers!

Ray's first teaching job was as a science teacher and coach at St. Edward High School in Elgin. He moved to Elgin, sharing an apartment with the head basketball coach, Terry True. At St. Ed's, he taught Earth Science and General Science and coached Freshman football and Sophomore basketball. Ray loved teaching. He was a good teacher. He related well to his students and genuinely liked them. They, in turn, liked him!

After a few years at St. Edward, Ray had an opportunity to take a job at Lake Zurich High School. There he taught Science and Drivers' Education and coached Sophomore basketball and football. After one year, he moved up to Varsity basketball coach!

Ray loved coaching - especially basketball. He had many successes. He loved his assistants and his players. He prided himself on a strong defense and was known as a demanding, yet fair coach. Eventually, Ray's teaching duties were lessened, and he became the Athletic Director. The gym at Lake Zurich High School is named the Ray Tonelli Gym in his honor.

While working at St. Edward's, Ray met his future wife, Kathleen "Kathy" Little. They married on June 6, 1970. Ray and Kathy were married at St. Mary Church, Gilberts. Ray soon grew to love the church and the church family. It was a major part of his life. When he was sick and had to be away at Mayo for extended periods of time, he literally couldn't wait to get back to St. Mary to suck up the faith, strength and love that it gave him!

Ray and Kathy began their family. Ray and Kathy have four children: Matthew(1973), Megan(1976), Michelle(1977), and Michael(1979).

Ray's "family" grew when he married Kathy. He greatly loved his mother and father-in-law, Mary and Harry Little. They, in turn, loved him like a son. His new siblings-in-law include Marylu, Frank, Larry, and Jack, and, of course, their spouses.

At the time of his death, he was the owner/manager of several industrial/commercial buildings. Even though very busy, Ray was very involved with the family and even had a chance to coach a year or two in the children's elementary school.