Guestbook

Add Your Two Cents

Please add your thoughts and stories. Scroll to the very bottom of the page to add your entry.

It’s wonderful to hear how other people remember L. Ray, and we know there are a lot of great stories out there.

The comments dated 2011 are from the Chicago Tribune guestbook or our memorial celebration sign-up page.

Comments

35 responses to “Guestbook”

  1. Bill Gilman

    Hi,
    My name is Bill Gilman .I live at the Jersey Shore.I worked in New York City for Marsh &McLennan an insurance brokerage firm.
    I started visiting Chicago in the mid 80’s and soon met Lawerance tending bar at PJ Clarke’s.I came to Chicago once a month on business for almost 20 years. Lawrence and I became fast friends.
    We did so many crazy things together it would be impossible to recount them all.
    The Mud Bug,the OTB on Jackson,Arlington Park,The Breeders Cup at Woodbine,Kingston Mines,The Sardine Bar,the radio show in Key West,Shula’s,Baseball Bill,Johnny Blandino,Mike Seigel,Violet,don’t begin to touch the surface of all the good times I had with Lawerance!
    I just found out today of his passing. A bartender at Palm Too in NYC told me. She used to live in Chicago and knew Lawrence.
    As you know,Lawrence was a great guy,and I’m truly sorry for your loss. I considered him to be one of my best friends(Who else knew the entire dialogue to the movie “Let it Ride”).
    If I can do anything, please contact me!

    1. Rick Ray

      Hello Bill,

      Thanks tons for sharing your L.Ray story. Sounds like you guys had some very good times.

      He is missed. We think of him every day.

  2. Geoffrey Smith

    Only new Larry for a short period of time. I am certainly going to miss the opportunity to talk to him once in a while.

  3. Gregory Ray, Chicago, Illinois

    As stated in “Wicked,” Lawrence, “Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better? But because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”

    I know there a 5 very special Rays greeting, welcoming, and showing you the ropes.

    I love and miss you, cousin.

  4. Annie Ensenberger, Chicago, Illinois

    My prayers are with the Ray family. Larry was like a brother to me. I will cherish my memories!!

  5. Alan Konn

    We will make sure that his Memorial Celebration will be such that if he was there to observe his comment would be “I like your style”! Something that I heard him say countless times over the years!

  6. Lesa Ukman

    So very sad. Larry had a timeless cool that was concurrently retro and modern. His dry wit revealed a keen intellect. He was an original. I will miss him. My deepest condolences.

  7. Sheila Ukman, Chicago, Illinois

    Yo Lawrence,
    So sorry – Rest in Peace.

  8. Sherri Fottler, Huntington Beach, California

    Where to begin? LRay you were a great friend and a huge part of my life. I can’t begin to imagine you not being around to talk to. There is so much that I will miss and there are hundreds of photos and great memories that I will hold in my heart forever. There will never be anyone quite like you LRay, “I will miss you darling”.

  9. Michael Friedman, Chicago, Illinois

    He was bigger than life. A great man.

  10. Janina Schneider Bertucci, Apple River, Illinois

    My sympathy to the Ray families loss. Lawrence will be deeply missed. My sister and I grew up with him during the time at FWP. He was a great person. We had many memorable times together for that will live on forever.

  11. j.burton reynolds, Chicago

    Shalom,
    Rest in peace, my dear friend. Many a good cheer and kibitz shared with such a good fellow. So many ND vs USC memories. J.Burton

  12. Parry Frank

    “I was a friend of Larry and worked with him at PJ’s for10 years. I was saddened to hear of his passing. He was a wonderful individual.

  13. Greg Thompson

    He’ll be missed!

  14. Deborah and Robert Wall

    We have such fond memories of “L” Ray!

  15. Donna Hamilton

    I am deeply saddened by Larry’s death. He was too young to pass, my thoughts and prayers are with his family. I had many of laughs and dinners with Larry in his rat pack years at Gibsons. I also enjoyed working along side with him at the opening of The Clubhouse he was a great guy and always had that smirk on his face where you know he was up something! I’ll miss him along with many others!

  16. Kathleen Harris

    I am so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. Will keep his family in my thoughts and prayers.

  17. Keene Addington

    I am so saddened by El Ray’s passing. Such fond memries of the many fun times we have had together from high school until our 50s.

  18. Bryan McElhattan, Plano, Texas

    I am shocked and saddened by the passing of a great friend. I had the pleasure of working side by side with Larry for 7 years. (1987-1994). Although some years have passed since we have spent time together, I guess that’s what time and distance can do, I would think of him often. He was truly a great person and even better friend. My prayers are with his family, and know that the world is a lesser place without him. Rest in peace Larry, you will not be forgotten, and I will miss you daily. Say hi to Jerry for me!

  19. Becky Kleronomos, Chicago, Illinois

    My deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to Larry Ray’s family. Larry was loved by so many and will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace Larry my love, I’ll never forget you.

  20. Karen Rabin Kleinman, No. Potomac, Maryland

    I am so sorry to hear such sad news. I remember Lawrence as an adorable young boy. Please know my thoughts and prayers will be with you.

  21. Barb & Mark Rabin, Springfield, Illinois

    It is difficult to know what to say at times of sorrow and sadness. Just know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  22. Tim (Doc) and Mary Ellen Shea, Westchester, Illinois

    Our thoughts and prayers are with Raine, Rick and the rest of his family. Larry was a good friend to us and he will be deeply missed. We have so many fond memories that will always make us smile. Larry may be gone, but he will not be forgotten. Rest in peace my friend.

  23. Chris Costas

    So sorry to hear about Lawrence.

  24. Courtney Lance

    L and I had a great funny relationship. We spent a lot of time laughing and writing keepsake notes that periodically we would have to produce for each other to evidence our commitment to the importance of those notes. I once ran into him at the Arlington Race track and we had a blast. He cracked me up all the time and I just loved him. I only recently heard of his illness and then this. My heart goes out to the Ray family. His memories are a joy and will keep his legacy as a very loyal, very funny, caring man alive. My prayers are with the family.

  25. Diane Levin

    So, so sad. I remember him well and the wonderful times we all had together during high school. My sincere condolences to his family.

  26. Les Dougherty

    So sorry.

  27. Maria Granda Ashby

    So sad, Larry was a good friend in high school, and always a classy guy.
    He will be missed.

  28. Tom Philipsborn

    It was far to soon. My heart goes out to Raine and Rick.

  29. Worthington Brown

    He was great fun.

  30. Blair Lele

    I have very fond memories of Lawrence as a kind, loving person who was loyal, and charming and made you feel good to be with him.

  31. Carmela Rago

    Oh I am so sorry to hear this news…My deepest sympathy and love go to Raine and Rick…please let me know if there is anything at all I can do. I am shocked beyond words. He was bigger than life — a huge spirit so loved by his classmates…so loved.

  32. Colette Holt

    I am heart sick. El Ray was a much loved member of our class. He truly lit up a room. We will miss him. My prayers are with his family.

  33. Michael Wallk

    So sorry to hear the sad news!

  34. Steve Meyer

    I am so very sorry for your loss.

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