The Raymond Talabis Memorial Fund

Ray Talabis was our friend. He was also a friend of many people in our community. Everybody loved and appreciated Ray. He was the kind of person you look forward to seeing. There was always a kind word, and interest in whatever was going on in your life. Ray had many interests and hobbies, including his love for fishing and dragon boating, and almost anything that had to do with the outdoors. His greatest love, though, was reserved for his daughter Kelly. Kelly was his everything. He was devoted to being the greatest Dad he could be, and to providing everything he could to help her become her best. He loved supporting her in everything she did including sports, friends and school. They spent much time together fishing, boating, cooking, going on movie and dinner dates and time with family. They were as close as a father and daughter could be. When there was a Lacrosse, Basketball or Volleyball game going on with one of Kelly's teams, we could count on seeing Ray cheering her on.

Ray was living his life, supporting his daughter, and excited about Kelly's upcoming spring Lacrosse season, when his life was cut short. Ray had been suffering from immense back pain. For a little over a month, he couldn't move his right arm or upper torso without extreme pain. He showed some of us the MRI pictures, and there was obviously serious infringement on the spinal cord.
Ray went in for surgery, and while no surgery is routine and all have risks, he was excited for the relief and ability to get back to living his normal life. He came out of the surgery, and all seemed well for about a week. He did begin to have trouble swallowing after a couple of days, but it did not seem to be a concern. By late evening day seven, Ray was having trouble breathing. It happened so fast that he barely had time to react, and he called his wife Marilyn for help. He also called 911. By the time Marilyn arrived, within five minutes, he was unconcious. She applied chest compressions at the instruction of a 911 operator until the ambulance got there. Ray went 29 minutes with no oxygen to his brain and he suffered two heart attacks in route to the hospital. He never really had a chance, and there was nothing they could do to bring him back.

This page is dedicated to Ray, for the benefit of the person Ray cared about more than anything or anyone in his life; Kelly. This is for Kelly's future. We are hoping to help provide for some of the needs that Ray was so dedicated to providing for his daughter. As friends of this family that we care so much about, we want to help.
These funds will go toward Kelly's college education. Marilyn will be in charge of the financial decision making for funds donated toward Kelly's education. 

Thank you for taking the time to read about Ray and for your consideration to help. This community of friends and family that care so much about the Talabis family is a good group of people. We want to be there for our friends in their time of need. We want to do what we can to help. Thank you for whatever you can do to help!

God Bless...