ForeverMissed
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Raymond Jack Bertolucci, passed away after a very brief battle with cancer.  Ray married Janice, his high school sweetheart in 1964 in Napa, and in 1967, they adopted their only child, Ana Maria.  Ray and Janice lived the past 35 years in the Sacramento area, primarily Elk Grove.

Ray worked in the computer industry his entire career, starting Miller Freeman Publishing, the airline industry, County of Napa, Hewlett Packard, and others, before retiring in 2006. Ray loved spending time with his family and friends, telling stories, enjoying nice meals, drinking red wine, and sharing laughs. After spending time with his family, his second greatest past-time was fishing. He loved fishing but what he loved most about it was the time together with his best friends (Bob Benning and Dan Erwin), daughter, son-in-law, and anyone who wanted to join him. While waiting for the fish to bite, he could play a mean game of cribbage and pinochle and most people ended their day with less winnings than him – both in card bets and in fish.

He held long and special friendships with people that were very important to him and that enriched his life greatly. Years spent visiting friends’ homes, dinner parties, camping, trips, and just being together was one of his greatest joys. He loved to laugh and joke around with people. He could really dish it out but he could take it back just as well!

Ray and Janice enjoyed their retirement years traveling by RV across the western United States and Canada. They also enjoyed traveling to various states, Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Europe, and Ray’s life-long dream to the island of Bora Bora. In between traveling, together with Janice he enjoyed attending plays, taking day trips to local wineries and places, and going on scenic drives. Ray adored and cherished his family. Janice, Ana, Gord, and Jackson were his entire world, and for them, his generosity and selflessness knew no limit.

Ray spent the last two weeks of his life receiving many messages of love from family and friends, reminiscing about family memories, enjoying the spring weather in the backyard, planting flowers, and receiving love and care from Janice, Ana, Gord, and Jackson.

Ray is survived by his wife Janice of 57 years; daughter, Ana, son-in-law, Gord Pedlar, grandson Jackson Pedlar; brother, Dennis Bertolucci (wife Liz); pre-deceased sister, Lynette Gore; nephews, Steven Bertolucci, Jim Gann and family; and nieces, Stephanie Thompson and family, Nikki Grimshaw and family, Michelle Ebaugh and family, Jessica Frank and family, many cousins, "little brother" Ken Graham (and family) and all of his closest friends who were like family to him.

Per Ray’s wishes, no formal service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Cancer Society.

_______________________________________________________________________
Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other
That we are still
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way you always used to
Put no difference into your tone
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed
At the little jokes we always enjoyed together
Play, smile, think of me,
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
Without the ghost of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolute unbroken continuity
What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you for an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner
All is well.
Nothing is past; nothing is lost
One brief moment and all will be as it was before
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!
-  Canon Henry Scott-Holland
July 8, 2021
July 8, 2021
What a beautiful job was done on this website. It brought back so many wonderful memories of days gone by. The most fun times we ever had were spent with the Bertoluccis and the Erwins, as we grew up together. Ray was a fine person and a very kind one. It was difficult to say good-bye.

Hugs to all of your family, and I hope it gets (even) a little easier with time...

Karin Benning
April 15, 2021
April 15, 2021
Ana, your deep & abiding love for your dad & his for you is a blessing beyond measure. Though I never met your dad - and I deeply regret I didn't - I always felt blessed and appreciative for how he - and your mom of course - raised you to become such a beautiful & well-adjusted woman. And from what I'm reading about him here, I see where you get your sense of humor. You are truly a testament to his character and an incredibly important part of his legacy for which we are all blessed. My most heartfelt condolences to you, your mom, Jackson & Gord. May your dad rest in peace...Love Uncle Johnny
April 11, 2021
April 11, 2021
Some of my most vivid childhood memories are of our summer camping trips with the Bertolucci family. I remember Uncle Ray playing cards with my dad and laughing his contagious laugh- always adding life to the party. When I was in high school we started a friendly rivalry- Napa High versus Vintage High. We'd bet a quarter on the annual "Big Game" football game. I think I owe Uncle Ray MANY quarters by now but he never made me pay up. Uncle Ray always made me feel special and loved. The day I brought my new baby daughter, Natalie, home from the hospital (17+ years ago!), there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Uncle Ray. The card said, "Congratulations. I love you, Honey." I love you too, Uncle Ray and will always miss you. Love, Lauren
April 8, 2021
April 8, 2021
Dearest Jan and family,

We are both so saddened at the sudden death of your beloved husband, father and grandfather. We pray you are comforted by family and friends and by His comfort each and every day. Our hearts grieve with yours at this quick release from this life but I understand you all had time to say your goodbyes which I hope brought some comfort to you all.  Our prayers are with you, All our love Jackie and Rich Hazeltine
April 8, 2021
April 8, 2021
Janice, Ana, Gord, and Jackson, sincerest condolences on your sudden and profound loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. May your loving, fun, and joyful memories be a comfort and blessing to you all right now.
April 7, 2021
April 7, 2021
Greg and I have our best memories of his humor, laughter and his way to light up any room he was in. We will miss him dearly.  Greg and Adele
April 7, 2021
April 7, 2021
Wow. It feels like someone has taken the wind out of my sails. I was so lucky to be with Ray the day before he passed. His humor never faltered even during that tough time. That day he gave me a birthday present of plastic big mouth bass flip flops and I memorialized him by wearing them on Easter. That was the Ray I loved.
As a fisherman Ray could brag with the best and normally he was pretty accurate. His card playing was respectable too. Unfortunately I beat him in pinochle that final game. I am sure I have not seen or heard from him for the last time. I expect dreams of him sitting next to a cribbage board reciting "Fifteen-two, fifteen four, and a pair for six." See ya.
April 7, 2021
April 7, 2021
I am whom I am because of my big brother. Happy times, sad times, picked on times, I am (most thankfully, and grateful) because of my brother. No matter what, when either one of us needed the other we were there without hesitation. I know he loved me and I loved him. I can not list all the things Ray taught me, just that the taught me how to live and how to be a great family man and true friend. Thank you Ray. Someday I know I'll see you again, until then I can't get the picture out of my mind of you and grandpa McMackin fishing and the sign grandpa had in the basement. "All fishermen are liers except you and me, but sometimes I'm not so sure about you"! I'm just imagining both your thinking that, and smiling at each other!...lol
April 7, 2021
April 7, 2021
What a great guy Ray was. I always enjoyed my time with him sharing our unique sense of humor with each other (Bob too). Our trip to Alaska is one of my favorite memories with him, especially on the fishing trip. Will miss him much.
April 6, 2021
April 6, 2021
One might think that loving so deeply isn't worth all the sadness and pain when things like this happen but somehow it is, because wow, what love!!

Three days before he died, mom told me to go into their bedroom and wake my dad up. I gently touched his leg and he opened his eyes, gave me a big smile, and whispered, "I adore you." I leaned over to kiss him and said "I adore you too." And boy did I adore him. I had a loving father for 54 years. How lucky and amazing was that?!

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Recent Tributes
July 8, 2021
July 8, 2021
What a beautiful job was done on this website. It brought back so many wonderful memories of days gone by. The most fun times we ever had were spent with the Bertoluccis and the Erwins, as we grew up together. Ray was a fine person and a very kind one. It was difficult to say good-bye.

Hugs to all of your family, and I hope it gets (even) a little easier with time...

Karin Benning
April 15, 2021
April 15, 2021
Ana, your deep & abiding love for your dad & his for you is a blessing beyond measure. Though I never met your dad - and I deeply regret I didn't - I always felt blessed and appreciative for how he - and your mom of course - raised you to become such a beautiful & well-adjusted woman. And from what I'm reading about him here, I see where you get your sense of humor. You are truly a testament to his character and an incredibly important part of his legacy for which we are all blessed. My most heartfelt condolences to you, your mom, Jackson & Gord. May your dad rest in peace...Love Uncle Johnny
April 11, 2021
April 11, 2021
Some of my most vivid childhood memories are of our summer camping trips with the Bertolucci family. I remember Uncle Ray playing cards with my dad and laughing his contagious laugh- always adding life to the party. When I was in high school we started a friendly rivalry- Napa High versus Vintage High. We'd bet a quarter on the annual "Big Game" football game. I think I owe Uncle Ray MANY quarters by now but he never made me pay up. Uncle Ray always made me feel special and loved. The day I brought my new baby daughter, Natalie, home from the hospital (17+ years ago!), there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Uncle Ray. The card said, "Congratulations. I love you, Honey." I love you too, Uncle Ray and will always miss you. Love, Lauren
Recent stories
April 9, 2021
Our family was introduced to Ray and Janice through our brother Gord.  The first time Ana (the girl he met on a beach in California!) came to visit him in Calgary we knew she had great parents because she was so nice!  When Ana and Gord got married, Ray and Janice became part of the extended Pedlar family.  While Gord and Ana were residing in Calgary, Ray and Janice often came to visit, and even thought about moving here (we have good fishing too!)   When Gord, Ana and Jackson decided to move to California instead we hated to see them leave, but we understood how important it was for Ana, as an only child with an only grandchild, to have more regular contact with her family.  We are glad they could have that time to build memories together.  Ray loved his family deeply and he will be missed! 
April 7, 2021
I only met Ray a couple of times, but in those brief encounters I met a wonderful, funny and caring family man. He was easy to talked to and always had a smile on his face. Rest In Peace sweet man

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