Romauld Valentine Pietersz
1934- 2017
Romuald "Ray" Valentine Pietersz passed away peacefully with his family by his side on September 14, 2017.
Ray was born on February 7, 1924 in Colombo, Sri-Lanka to Colinwood and Anastasia (Stainwall) Pietersz.
Fifty years of his life was spent in Colombo, and the rest of his life was spent in Hines, Oregon.
He attended St. Matthews School in Colombo from the first grade to the twelfth grade. He married the love of his life Winona Felicia Gerturde Jansz on October 29, 1959 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Colombo, Sri-Lanka.
He worked for Brown & Company Ltd. as a foreman in the farm equipment division for 32 years. He moved to the United States in December of 1974, leaving behind everything he had known and loved in pursuit of freedom and opportunity. In 1980 dad became a proud American Citizen, dad always talked about how proud and thankful he was to be an American, he worked for Jack McAllister at Harney County Farm Supply for one year. He then worked for Edward Hines Lumber Co. and Snow Mountain Pine until his retirement in 1990.
After retirement Ray had the urge to continue working, he worked at the City of Hines, Jerry's Restaurant, The Apple Peddler, Safeway and the Old Camp Casino. He was an avid gardener and loved working in his yard. He loved God, his family and his country. He was a lifelong Catholic and a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Burns, Oregon.
Ray is survived by his wife of 58 years, Winona; daughters, Rozanne and husband John Ebar, Cynthia and husband Lane Carpenter; five grandchildren; Christopher Rutledge, Michelle Ebar, Andrew Carpenter, Lacy Carpenter and Brandon Carpenter; sister Fortune De'Fontaine; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Colinwood and Anastasia Pietersz; Brother, Radnor Pietersz; Sister, Rita Pietersz and son-in-law Ernie Rutledge.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Friday, September 22, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church with burial to follow in the Burns Cemetery. Contributions in his memory can be made to the Harney County Hospice.
