Raymond V. Pelanda

Raymond V. Pelanda, 88, of Canton passed away September 22nd; born February 25, 1928 to Gaetano and Adele Pelanda in Alliance. Survived by wife, Katherine Brazar Pelanda (married 1953); children: Raymond (Candice), Kevin , Melanie Myers (Jacob), and Kenneth (Lynda); ten grandchildren, and sister, Mary Pelanda Weibush of Orlando, Florida. Preceded in death by sisters Alice, Lena, & Sylvia. A man of great faith, he leaves his family a legacy of that faith, love and joy of family, and dedicated work ethic. Ray graduated from Alliance High School and served in the U.S. Navy. He earned a Bachelor's degree (Education) and Master's degree (Accounting and Social Business) at Kent State University. He taught at Timken Vocational High School (1952-1966). He was employed at Kent State University as Assistant Director of Trumbull Campus (1966 -1969), Coordinator of Business Affairs for Regional Campuses (1969-1979), as an Assistant Professor of Accounting in Regional Campuses (1967-1978); and as Chief Financial Officer of the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (1979-1985). Ray belonged to Theta Chi social fraternity at KSU and Phi Delta Kappa professional fraternity. He was president of Canton KSU Alumni Association (1955-1966), an Eagle Scout and an institutional representative of the Boy Scouts of America for whom he counseled young scouts for many years earning merit badges in several areas. He joined Ravenna Rotary International in 1982 and served as Treasurer; and Canton Rotary in 1985 where he compiled and edited the Club directory and was honored as Editor Emeritus in 2008. Ray belonged to Basilica of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church where he served as Lay Lector and Communion Distributor. He was a member (1975-1981) and President (1979-1980) of the Youngstown Diocese School Board. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist with The Very Reverend Ronald Klingler as celebrant. Burial will be in North Canton Cemetery. Friends may call Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the Lamiell Funeral Home. Memorials may be Masses for Ray or contributions to Basilica of St. John the Baptist Church, Canton Rotary Charitable Fund or Alliance High School Foundation.