Former Ortonville resident, business owner, and community volunteer Raymond Fulgenzi died Aug. 27 at his home in Chipley, Fla.
He was 69.
Ray owned and operated J & F Collision in Ortonville for more than 30 years and also owned Desert Spring Farms.
He was a member of the Ortonville Lions Club for many years, as well as the Ortonville Chamber of Commerce. In the 1970s, Ray was a firefighter with the Brandon Fire Department.
Ray was very active in the Michigan Appaloosa Horse Association and showed horses for many years. He and his mare, Desert Annie Bars, stood champions throughout the United States and placed third at the World Championship Appaloosa Horse Club at Oklahoma City, Okla. in 1980.
‘He was really energetic,? said longtime friend Al Bess. ‘We used to have the Ortonville Days Countryfest and he always helped with the cooking. He was a very jolly gentleman.?
Ray retired from J & F Collision in 1993 and moved to Florida with his wife, Judy, whom he married in 1961. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Chipley and an honorary member of the KOC in Roscommon. Ray was also active in St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Chipley and was instrumental in building the new church.
‘He was quite a character, a smartypants,? said Ray’s daughter, Julie Mayer. ‘He enjoyed horses and being with people.?
Surviving are: wife, Judy; children, Chris (Crystal) of Chipley, Fla., Julie Mayer of Millington and Jackie (Carl) Wright of Sherwood, Mich.; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; brothers Larry (Jane) of New Holland, Pa. and Eric (Sherry) of Milford; and sister, Roxanne Drosart of Highland.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael Catholic Church in Roscommon at a later date.