Raymond Anthony Lameiro

Raymond Anthony Lameiro passed from this world on February 2, 2024 at Pathways Hospice in Fort Collins, after his constant and courageous two-year battle with cancer. Ray was surrounded by many of his close friends and family. Ray was born in Brooklynn, New York to Beatrice C. Lameiro and Frank Raymond Lameiro on June 4, 1955. Ray was the second to the youngest son. During his very early childhood, Ray recounted that Ray’s Father moved their family to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil after Frank’s brother passed away and was called upon to assist with his brother’s family business. Ray said his time in Brazil was a fun adventure because he didn’t know what to expect, and he was very young. He went to early grade school in Rio. Ray said that it was an expectation that he was to learn how to speak Portuguese. However, his mother said that Ray decided to teach his schoolmates how to speak English instead because it was easier than learning another language. Ray’s teacher was very impressed by his teaching skills. Ray and his family returned to Long Island, New York and spent several years there after being in Rio. Ray loved baseball and was always ready to play whenever possible. Ray’s Father took him to see the Yankees play which was a big event in his childhood. He didn’t talk much about public school in New York, but said he played a lot of stick ball in the streets and then would go for a slice of pizza at Rocco’s Pizza (he always loved a good slice of pizza). Everywhere he traveled, Ray was looking to find a good piece of pizza “just like Rocco’s.” The family moved from New York to the Loveland/ Fort Collins, Colorado area in 1968. Ray attended St. Johns Catholic School, Blevins Middle school and graduated from Rocky Mountain High School in 1974. He then went on to take college courses all while working full-time. Ray said that he remembers that he worked while he was in high school. He said that if he wanted a car, his Dad taught him that he needed to work hard to get what you want. Ray said that he was so proud and excited when he was able to purchase his first car, a GTO (abbreviation for gas, tires, and oil). After high school graduation, Ray worked at HP (Hewlett Packard) and Comlinear. Ray found his special niche in his working life when he went to work at Hach. He was so proud of his role at Hach to keep our environment’s water clean and drinkable. Ray worked at Hach for 24 years. He said he had the opportunity to continue learning while at Hach. He always loved the challenges presented, big or small. He liked to learn from others and when he mastered something, he loved teaching others. While at Hach, Ray also had the opportunity to travel occasionally for work. He travelled to Italy, France, Austria, and Germany. Ray’s wife also travelled with him when he went for these extended trips for work. Ray worked during the day and then in the evenings were able to enjoy sight-seeing in the evenings. Also, while at Hach, Ray became part of their Emergency Response Team and he never missed out on their annual “Walk for Water” event. Unfortunately, Ray had to retire earlier than he planned on retiring due to his recent health. Ray always liked to participate in sports himself. However, he also loved to see his favorite teams play. Ray was a fan of the Broncos, Rockies, CSU and Eagles. In the spring and summer, Ray could be found on the softball and baseball fields around the area. Ray decided to start umpiring softball when he pulled one too many hamstrings playing softball. He worked with and learned to umpire from some very good mentors. He umpired for the Rocky Mountain Christian Church League (RMCAA) and the Poudre School District middle school girls league. In the summer, he also did some of the adult slow pitch recreation city leagues. He also referred football and volleyball for the RMCAA leagues. Ray married his wife Georgie on October 10, 1998. They built their first house together and the construction was completed shortly after their wedding day. That’s when Ray discovered he had a passion for lawncare and landscaping. He always took great pride in having a nicely manicured yard. He loved to see the trees and bushes grow. For the last couple years, he was unable to care physically for his yard. But that didn’t stop him from watching it grow and being ready to get someone to keep it trimmed, watered and fertilized. In 2017, Ray decided that it was time to build their second home. Ray knew that Georgie’s parents were having issues with declining health. Ray wanted to provide a different home so that they could move them all together, without being cramped. Ray wanted to be able to care for them in a safe environment. After Georgie’s parents moved in, Ray became the balancer for everyone’s checkbooks and helped with budgeting. He was also the in-house cell phone and computer tech person for everyone. Life got busier, but it was also fun to have the daily interactions. George and Vi were always very appreciative of having their needs managed. Unfortunately, Georgie’s parents did begin to require more care than they were able to handle after three years of caring for them. It was bittersweet when they had to move them into skilled nursing, but it was an awesome three years that George and Violet were able to live together with them, under one roof. Ray decided that because he liked officiating softball, football and basketball, it was time for a new challenge. Ray had never played any organized volleyball. The only volleyball that he had ever played was at summer picnics. Ray decided to join the Colorado Volleyball Officials Association (CVOA) for the 2005-2006 high school volleyball season. Ray’s wife also joined CVOA at the same time. They were looking forward to officiating together. In true Ray fashion, he studied hard and worked to become the best official he could become. Ray was with CVOA for 18 years and it meant an awful lot to him. Ray served on the CVOA Board as an Area Director. He would recruit others who were also interested in the sport. Ray assisted with training new officials in the rules, and on the volleyball courts with their officiating mechanics. For the last seven years, he has served as the Colorado’s State Rules Interpreter. Ray was selected to officiate at 12 Colorado State Volleyball Tournaments and has officiated 3 State Finals. Ray said that volleyball officiating was his avocation and not a vocation. Being on the courts with the other officials always brought a smile to his face. Ray said that he went out on top officiating when he did his last State Finals Game the Fall of 2021 due to his cancer diagnosis. He attended the last two State Tournaments in his continuing role as the Rules Interpreter. Ray is also an Inductee to the CVOA Volleyball Hall of Fame. Ray said that he missed doing what he loved to do in life for the last 2 years. Ray had a very big love of life and had fun with the people around him. He has left us with some awesome memories. His family and friends appreciated his quick smile and instantaneous wit. Ray will be dearly missed by those he has left behind. Ray is survived by his wife; Georgie Knaub-Lameiro, brothers; Paul Lameiro and Robert McCaully (Elizabeth); children; Toby and Jeff. Grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Beatrice and Frank; brother, Gerard Lameiro; and nephew, James Lameiro. The family would like to thank the PVH physicians, nurses and staff for their expertise and care of Ray. We would also like to thank Pathways Hospice staff for their kind and compassionate care of Ray, his family and friends. Viewing will be held 12-4pm, Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Ray’s services will be held at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 10:00 am. A light luncheon to follow the service. On Thursday, February 8th Ray will be interred in the Knaub Family plots in the Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. A short graveside service will be completed by Pastor Andrew Grief at the Fairview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pathways Hospice in Fort Collins or Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.

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Raymond Anthony Lameiro

June 4, 1955 - February 2, 2024