Raymond Likar
Obituary Reports the death of an individual, providing an account of the person’s life including their achievements, any controversies in which they were involved, and reminiscences by people who knew them.
On Tuesday, Dec. 27, Raymond Martin Likar (Ray), devoted husband, father and grandfather (Opa), peacefully passed away at the age of 63.
Ray was born on Oct. 20, 1959, in Mahopac Hospital, Putnam County. He spent most of his childhood exploring the vast acres surrounding his parent’s home, which was on a street his father lovingly named “Skyview Lane,” for its sprawling views – and just enough land for Ray to foster curiosity and courage, build friendships and occasionally find himself in tricky yet adventurous situations!
Ray went on to apprentice and quickly master the art of auto body mechanics, and his love of all things related to moving vehicles never faded. He was fascinated by them, he formed lifelong friendships while repairing them and he even met his beautiful wife while being employed in the industry. He went on to own several successful auto body repair shops, and found comfort in being his own boss, his morning hot cup of coffee and lovingly immersing himself in the community and lives of his clients.
Additionally, Ray expended his energy through purchasing and restoring homes and passionately accumulating a vast collection of antiques, sharing his unique findings with family and friends. He also felt great adoration and privilege in spending time in the lake house he designed and helped build, which served as a foundation for countless reunions, celebrations and gatherings with like-minded family and friends who didn’t mind his love for Bob Marley and would relish in his fascination and knowledge of Lake Mahopac facts.
Ray contently retired from his fast-paced life of hard work a year ago, with plans to treasure hunt and fly more kites with his grandchildren at the beach, grow more fruit trees at the lake, travel to warm, sunny beaches with his wife and attend as many of his grandchildren’s sporting events as possible.
Ray’s love and energetic spirit transformed the lives of everyone he encountered. He brought a bounty of integrity, passion and expertise to everything he did – with his patience for teaching others, his unbounded generosity and his desire to show his love to friends and family through his actions. He also had a remarkable ability to connect with animals and people, share himself and his wares and evoke that same spirit of joy in every individual he knew.
We are eternally grateful for the time we had with Ray, the lessons we learned, being exposed to his childlike joyous nature and his endless devotion to those in his life.
Ray was preceded in death by his father, Joseph, and his mother, Arleen. He is survived by his devoted wife, Karen Likar; his daughter, Jeanmarie Sandford, her husband, Ryan, and grandchildren Jack and Lucia; his daughter, Erika Likar, her wife Kara and grandchildren Cole Likar and Luke Jura; his sister, Millicent Marrello; his brother, Joseph Likar; and by countless family and friends who will forever cherish their memories with Ray, because to know him was to love him, and if you were lucky enough to know him, the love will always remain.
A Memorial Mass will be held this Thursday, Jan. 5 at 11:30 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Parish of Mahopac, located at 221 E. Lake Blvd. in Mahopac. There will be a Celebration of Life gathering immediately following the mass at Arturo’s Tavern from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., located at 878 US-6 in Mahopac.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Ray to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at www.donate.NAMI.org.
Thank you for all of your kind words and support during this time. We love you all, just as we know Ray did.
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