Raymond E. (Rafty) Schrantz, 90, of Dunkirk died Monday morning (Dec. 28, 2020) at Brooks Memorial Hospital, following a brief illness.
He was born Jan. 26, 1930, in Dunkirk, N.Y., to Joseph and Pauline (Hitzges) Schrantz.
Raymond graduated from Industrial High School and was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War. He had been employed at Fred Koch Brewery and served as a professional firefighter for the City of Dunkirk, retiring in 1985.
Raymond was a parishioner of Holy Trinity, a member of Dunkirk Hose Company 1 and the Dunkirk Exempt’s Firemen’s Club. In his free time, he enjoyed woodworking and making Koch’s keepsakes.
Raymond married Dolores (Sosinski) Schrantz June 19, 1965, who preceded him in death, dying June 10, 1984.
Raymond is survived by his daughters: Marie (David) Damico and Jodi (Michael) Tarnowski; his grandchildren: Baylee and Jacob Tarnowski; his sister, Norma Mekus of Redford, Mich. and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife and parents; his brother, Robert Schrantz; his brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Florence Schrantz; and his dear friend, Arlene Kalfas.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in Holy Trinity Church at a later date. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Dunkirk.
Arrangements are by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.
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Raymond Schrantz was my cousin and he was a lot like his father, Uncle Joe. We were so proud of his Navy Service and his Fire Driver dedicated service.
Sandy and I want to express our thoughts and prayers to Ray’s two daughters and their families. Ray enjoyed sending puzzles he created and it was always fun to see his smile at family gettogethers.
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