Raymond R. Pini

Raymond R. Pini, 87 of Rockford, died Sunday, November 2, 2008 at River Bluff Nursing Home. Born June 19, 1921 in Standard, IL the son of Julius and Teresa Pini. Entered into the United States Army serving in WWII in the 3rd Army under General Patton. On April 11, 1942 he married his loving wife Elaine Guenzani in Rockford. He was the owner and operator of Pini Grocery Neighborhood Store and employed at  Warner Lambert retiring in 1983 after 26 years of service. He is a member of St. James Catholic Church, past president of the American Lombardi Club and member of the Verdi Club. Raymond was especially known for his homemade salameats, he enjoyed gardening, mushroom hunting and fishing and was also an avid card player. He loved to  dance and did so with all of the ladies at River Bluff until the day of his death.  Survivors include his daughter, Barbara (Bill) Gustafson; grandchildren, Barry (Julie) Gustafson, Bridgette (Dave) Zuba and Brent Gustafson; 5 great grandchildren, Billy, Claudia, Carly, Marlee and Khali; special niece Judy Serio; nephews, Tom Mandell and Paul Richardson. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Elaine on March 9, 2001, sisters, Mary Devenney and Erma Valenick and brother, Al Pini.  Special thank you to the staff at River Bluff Nursing Home and all the Guardian Angles who cared for my dad, you are the best of the best.   Funeral Mass Friday, November 7, 2008 at 10:00 at St. James Catholic Church, Rockford. Interment will be held in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation Thursday at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford chapel 1860 S. Mulford Rd. from 5-7 p.m. with a Christian Wake Service to be recited at 7:00. Visitation will continue on Friday at church from 9-9:45. In lieu of flowers memorials to the family for a fund to be established at a later date.