MERIDEN, Conn. — 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. 23rd Marines 4th 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 3rd 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 seven 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 six years at the Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center for sevenyears. 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.

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; his two great-grandchildren, Preston and Saylor Rotonda. He was the cousin of Mary A. (Mik) Maciora, late of Pittsfield, the late Mary G. Maciora-Jacobs and Joseph G.V. Maciora, among other cousins.

Funeral notice: His funeral was held on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, from the Stempien Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., Meriden. Burial with military honors followed in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. 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.