Ray J. Tiburzio

A Funeral Mass for Ray J. Tiburzio, age 87, of Newark, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 394 East Main Street, Newark, with Fr. Jonathan Wilson as celebrant. Entombment will take place in St. Joseph Cemetery in Columbus. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, February 27, at Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home, 179 Granville Street, Newark, where a Vigil Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Ray was born December 25, 1929 in Columbus, Ohio to the late Primo Alfonso and Josephine Marie (Mesi) Tiburzio. He passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2017 at Licking Memorial Hospital. Ray retired from Nationwide Insurance after 35 years of service where he had been an insurance agent. He was a member of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Newark and the Sons of Italy #2486 Rinascimento Lodge. Ray served in the Ohio National Guard and had been the Columbus Dispatch 1948 Golden Gloves Champion in the 147 pound division. He was a coach for biddy basketball, football and Little League baseball for the Y and Newark City schools. In July of 1981, he hosted two players from the Italian team, Alfredo Ferrini and Ruggero Bagialamani, who participated in the International World Friendship Baseball Series in Newark. He is survived by a son, Ray (Frances) Tiburzio of Columbus; daughter, Chris (Steve) Priest of Newark; three grandchildren, Nick Tiburzio, Erica Harp and Adrienna Priest (Chris Silette); two brothers, Rudy Tiburzio of Westerville and Ben Tiburzio of Powell; a sister, Mary Ann (Tiburzio) Wallace of Newark; many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and aunts, Jean Cavener and Louise Hedman, both of Columbus. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth (Reffitt) Tiburzio, on August 9, 2002; and by two brothers, Rich and Art Tiburzio. Memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament. Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Ray and the Tiburzio family.