Raymond Rainka

01/24/2001

Raymond Rainka, 82, of 1 Taubert Ave. died yesterday at Berkshire Medical Center. Born in Pittsfield on Feb. 24, 1918, son of Stanislaus and Mary Helinski Rainka, he attended local schools and was a 1936 graduate of Pittsfield High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army, where he served until his discharge on March 27, 1939. Later that year, he enlisted in the Navy and served as a submariner aboard several subs, including the USS Guardfish, USS Atule and the USS Balao, throughout the Pacific and in the Philippines. From 1950 until 1956, he served in the Navy during the Korean War. Mr. Rainka was employed as a school custodian until he took a position as a mail carrier with the Pittsfield branch of the U.S. Postal Service. He retired in 1978. He was a communicant of Holy Family Church and enjoyed fishing in area lakes as well as deep-sea fishing on Cape Cod. He also enjoyed photography. He leaves four sisters, Irene P. McInerney and Isabel A. Ropelewski, both of Pittsfield, Jane Daniels of Dalton and Rita S. Koldys of Lanesboro. Raymond Rainka, 82, of Pittsfield, died Jan. 24. Beloved by his sisters; his three brothers, Henry F. Rainka, Edward Rainka and John R. Rainka, predeceased him. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Cecelia Rainka, and was the "proud Uncle Ray" of 13 nieces and nephews. Calling hours at DEVANNY-CONDRON FUNERAL HOME will be Thursday from 3 to 6. Funeral services will be held Friday at 8:15 a.m. from the funeral home, followed with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at Holy Family Church. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the World War II Memorial in Washington in care of the funeral home.

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