Raymond J. Bertino

Raymond John Bertino was called home on April 16, 2023, having spent all of his good and full life surrounded by the love of his family.

Ray was born on May 3, 1927 on the family farm in Channahon, the son of Peter and Jennie Bertino. He was a graduate of Joliet Catholic High School, Class of 1945. As was the practice at that time, he was given his diploma on the occasion of his 18^th birthday, and soon after was inducted into the US Army. Ray was a proud Army Veteran, having served at the end of World War II and the beginning of the Korean Conflict, earning an Army of Occupation Medal for his service in Japan and the Victory Medal.

Ray married Dolores Marie Seeman on August 19, 1950 at the Church of St. Anthony and together, for 68 plus years, they enjoyed a life made rich by the gifts of a loving family, good friends, and a strong faith.   Dee preceded him in death in 2019, entrusting him to the care of his three daughters and their families who all loved him beyond measure.

Ray was proud of his 38-year career with Argonne National Laboratory, where he began work in the Purchasing Department in 1951. Ray was appointed Manager of the Purchasing Department, Procurement Division at Argonne in 1976. While working full-time in this position, he completed extension coursework through UCLA and earned his Professional Designation in Purchasing and Materials Management and Certified Purchasing Manager certificate. With the support of his wife, he continued his education and earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Franklin University in 1981. Ray retired from his position as Purchasing Manager in 1989. In retirement, he was asked and agreed to serve as the Contract Specialist and Purchasing Consultant on the Advanced Photon Source Project at the Laboratory and completed his work with that project in 1991.

Ray held his Real Estate Salesman, Broker and Appraiser Licenses and worked with his brother in the Robert M. Bertino and Associates Real Estate Agency, helping many family members and friends find and purchase their first or forever home. In his early days, he also worked with his youngest brother Joe at the Bertino Standard Service Station.

Ray was a member of the Church of St Anthony and the Cathedral of St. Raymond parishes. He was a member of the Cathedral Choir and Knights of Columbus. Over the years he served on many committees at St. Anthony’s. Ray enjoyed his membership in the Old Timer’s Baseball Association and VFW Post 367. Ray and Dee were strong supporters of the work at Morning Star Mission.

Ray will be remembered for his soft-spoken manner, kindness, loyalty, sense of humor, love of family, and always being a good sport. Ray never spoke an unkind word about another person. He was a Gentleman and a Gentle Man.

Honoring and keeping his memory alive are his children Lynn Marie Bertino Neville, Cynthia Brown and Lori and Dennis House; his grandchildren Jennifer and Bradley Carlock, Michael and Vidya Brown,  Kevin House and Nicole Freck, Keith House and Amanda Martin, and John and Kim Neville; his great-grandchildren Matthew and Natalie Carlock, Revathi Brown, and Sara and Connor Neville; his sister-in-Ruth Bertino, his “sister”-in-law and dear friend  Ellen Seeman, and numerous nieces and nephews to whom he was and will always be “Uncle Ray”.

In addition to his wife, Ray was preceded in death by his parents Peter and Jennie Bertino, his in-laws LeRoy and Minnie Seeman, his son-in-law Douglas Neville, his brothers and their wives, George and Lee, Bob and Ann, Tom and Bev, Joe and Gerri and his brother Larry, his sisters and their husbands Edith and Bob Irwin, Betty and LaVern Kren and Marianne and Jim Crater,  his brother-in-law Donald Seeman, his sisters-in-law JoAnn Soave and Sharon (Jim) Harrier, and his dear and long-time friends Rich and Mary Galick.

The family thanks Father Balluff of the Church of St. Anthony as well as Margie Stanfel and the staff of Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, Dr. Philip Serna and Dr.Bhatt of Duly Health and Care for their genuine concern and wonderful care for Ray. A special thank you to the Lew House, David House and Linda Seroka families for their love and support of Grampa in so many ways.

Visitation with the family will be Thursday, April 20^th, from 4-7pm at Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home. Family and friends will gather at the Church of St. Anthony for a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, April 21^st at 10am, with visitation at the church from 9:30am to the time of services. Inurnment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the family to honor Ray’s wishes, to Morning Star Mission or to Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care would be appreciated.