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Eugene Claude Ipox, Jr., TM1
to remember
Guernic, Raymond, QMCS USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Paterson
Last Address Virginia Beach, VA
Date of Passing Oct 07, 2012
Location of Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery - Rochester, New York
Senior Chief Raymond J. Guernic, USN (Ret) born December 13, 1932, in Paterson
New Jersey passed away in Virginia Beach on Sunday, October 7, 2012. He was
predeceased by his parents Maurice and Louise Jouen Guernic of Morbian,
France, his first wife Hazel (nee Conklin) and son Bryan Guernic of Hawthorne,
New Jersey.
He leaves behind his devoted wife Mary, loving Daughter and Son-in-Law, ReaAnn
and Kevin Teague of Portsmouth, Grandsons Kevin Teague, Richard Flandera, USN
and Wife Melissa, USN, Granddaughter Kelly Flandera Ruley & Husband Adam,
Great Grandson Ryan Ruley. He is also respectfully survived by his wife's 3
Children and 5 Grandchildren.
Ray served aboard the USS Toledo (CA133) for 4 years, 3 of which during the
Korean War. He took part in the invasion of Inchon on September 1950. His crew
received the Korean Presidential Unit Citation for their support of the invasion
forces and ground troops. After the Korean War, Ray volunteered for submarine
duty. He first served on WWII submarine USS Crevalle (SS291) USS Hardhead (SS
365) USS Seawolf (SSN 575). On his second tour on board the Seawolf he was the
Chief of The Boat. He ended his 24 Year career on the Staff of the Chairman of
The Joint Chiefs, Pentagon. After returning to Hawthorne, he then began a valuable career as a New Jersey state certified instructor in the Navy's Junior ROTC High School program for 23 years retiring on July 1, 1996.Ray was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, and a Charter member of St John's The Apostle KOC Council 13467, Virginia Beach. Life member of The Veterans of Foreign Wars, and member of the Submarine Veterans, Norfolk, VA Chapter enjoying the company of his comrades. Ray was instrumental in obtaining a Head Stone for the Father of the Submarine John P. Holland, who was buried in an unmarked grave in Paterson. Through the help of The United States Submarine Veterans Association, the Paterson Museum, Paterson Press and The U.S. Navy Chief of Information, a suitable monument was erected in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa, New Jersey. For nearly 30 years he was very active in the politics in his adopted home town of Hawthorne serving as the President of The Hawthorne Republican Organization for 16 years Borough Chairman for of The Passaic County Republican Party. Since moving from New Jersey to Virginia Beach, Raymond has continued to
serve his community by volunteering at the VB Visitors Information Center and as
President of The Crescent Condominium Association Board of Directors.
A Chalice Service and Funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Apostle Church, 1968 Sandbridge Road, Virginia Beach on Tuesday, October 16th at 10:00 am. Reception immediately following in the Church Commons.
A Requiem Mass will be held on Saturday October 20, 2012 at 10:30 AM at St. Anthony RC Church, 276 Diamond Bridge Ave, Hawthorne, NJ. Interment will be private in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St John the Apostle, KOC Council
13467, PO Box 6793, Virginia Beach, VA 23456. H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Rd Chapel in Virginia Beach is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at hdoliver.com.
Awarded: 21 July 1952
Builder: Electric Boat division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut
Laid down: 7 September 1953
Launched: 21 July 1955
Commissioned: 30 March 1957
Decommissioned: 30 March 1987
Struck: 10 July 1987
Fate: Disposed of by submarine recycling
Other Memories Seawolf was operating from that port when she grounded off the coast of Maine on 30 January 1968. She was towed back to New London, Connecticut, for repairs and did not put to sea again until 20 March 1969, when she began sea trials. The submarine was in the Caribbean Sea during June and July conducting underwater sound and weapons systems tests. Seawolf was deployed with the Sixth Fleet from 29 September to 21 December 1969.
Seawolf operated along the East Coast until 9 November 1970 when her home port was changed to Vallejo, California, and she sailed for the West Coast. The submarine transited the Panama Canal on 17 November and changed operational control to Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet. She entered drydock at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 8 January 1971 for overhaul and conversion to a special project platform and remained there until 21 June 1973, when she moved up the coast to Bangor, Washington. Seawolf returned to Mare Island on 4 September 1973.
Hull number SSN-575
