Raymond F. Ray Kusek Jr., 70, of Grand Island, NE, died unexpectedly Saturday, October 17, 2015, at his home. Mass of the Christian Burial will be Friday, October 23, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Marys Cathedral. The Rev. Richard L. Piontkowski Jr. will be the celebrant. Private family inurnment will be at a later date. Military honors will be provided by the United Veterans Honor Guard and the U.S. Navy Honor Team. Visitation will be Thursday, October 22, 2015 from 6 7 p.m. at St. Marys Cathedral with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Ray was born July 6, 1945, at Loup City, Nebraska. He was the son of Raymond F. and Mary V. (Arthur) Kusek Sr. Ray married Carol Kathryn Rott on July 1, 1972 at St. Marys Cathedral in Grand Island. They had been married for 42 years. He is survived by his five children and their spouses, Anthony Ray and Stephine Kusek of Phoenix,AZ; Craig Kusek of Grand Island, NE; Angel and Kurt Kosmicki of West Des Moines, IA; Brighit of Grand Island, NE; and Samuel Sam Kusek of Scottsdale, AZ. His mother, Mary Kusek of Grand Island, NE; brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Frankie Kusek of San Antonio, TX: sisters and brothers-in-law, Sandy and Harold Arnold of Grand Island, NE; Colleen and Robin Mayo of Omaha, NE; Phyllis and James Edwards of Ord, NE; Margaret and Larry Sweley of Omaha, NE; Elizabeth and Dan Rubin of Plattsmouth, NE; Rita and Kurt Frickel of Omaha, NE. Others left to cherish his memory include his grandchildren, Amber Kusek, Carson Kusek and Kasch Kosmicki. Ray grew up in Loup City graduating from Loup City High School in 1963. He entered the U. S. Navy on July 3, 1963 serving until his honorable discharge on August 5, 1966. To this day, Ray was proud to serve his country and share his life for the good U.S A. Upon his release he came to Grand Island and worked for the Army Ammunition Plant before joining Geer Mobile Home Manufacturing Co. He worked for Gillette Dairy and then Roberts Dairy as a route sales representative, working until he retired in 2008. In his retirement he worked for CHI Health St. Francis as a courier, retiring in July of 2015. Ray was a very loving father, grandpa, son, brother, and uncle. He savored family time, especially with his grandchildren. Ray was an avid bird watcher and so volunteering at the Crane Meadow National Wildlife Refuge Center was a natural. He also volunteered at the Grand Island Vets home, Central Catholic, American Red Cross as a blood donor, the Nebraska State Fair, just to name of few. He was proud of his Polish heritage, supporting the Polish Heritage Center in Ashton, NE. He was a passionate gardener, he loved the outdoors, and was a fan of all sports, he especially enjoyed following the local high school athletes and Husker Football. He was a wood carver, sharing his creations with family and friends. Ray enjoyed dancing and attended many area dances with his special friend and dancing partner Virginia Lauritsen. Ray was active in the Cub and Boy Scouts, serving as a Den Leader, Scout Master, District Councilman, and achieved Order of the Arrow, as well as Wood Badge. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and was Member of the Year in 2000. He was a member of St. Marys Cathedral, a Eucharistic Minister at church and to the home bound, participated in various church committees, as well as helping as a grounds keeper. He was involved with St. Vincents DePaul Charity and was a 3rd and 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, receiving Knight of the year in 2005. Memorials are suggested to the family as a fund will be designated at a later date. He is welcomed into heaven by his father, Ray Sr., and his grandchildren, Christian and Broderick Brody Ray Kusek. Online condolences may be given at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Rays obituary