Raymond F. Gardella passed away on April 3, 2017. Ray was born on August 29, 1922 to Angelina and Frank Gardella. He grew up in Sparks, Nevada and attended Sparks High School. After high school, he attended the University of Nevada, Reno. There he played basketball and football. While at UNR, he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. In 1943, he joined the Army and served in the 179th Infantry Battalion of the 45th Thunderbird Division in Northern France and Southern Germany. During his military service, he received the Bronze Star. After WWII, he completed his degree at UNR and went to work at the Reno Newspapers, Inc. He worked in Circulation and covered sporting events for the Nevada State Journal under Ty Cobb. After 19 years at the paper, he became a realtor, joining American Realty. Later he became owner of record for that firm. He was awarded Realtor of the Year and a lifetime membership in the Reno/Sparks Association of Realtors. He was a member of the Reno Elks Club, The Sons of Italy, and The Italian Catholic Federation. Ray married Norma Katherine Lazzari/Quilici (Clowers) in 1973. As ardent UNR Wolf Pack fans, they followed the pack sports teams in town and on the road. They loved to travel and went to many foreign countries over their 43 year marriage. Ray is survived by his step-children: Karen Vernon (Tim), Mary Slagle (Steve), Mike Clowers (Colleen), and son Brent Gardella (Jennifer). He has 10 grandchildren: Katherine, Matthew, Claire, Brian, Megan, Christopher, Benjamin, Lucas, Carson and Shannon, and 9 great-grandchildren. Ray is survived by sister-in-law Lena Magee (Tom) and has multiple Gardella cousins in the Reno/Sparks area. Ray was predeceased by his wife, Norma, (June 2016), his son Jerry Gardella, daughter Chris Privet, stepson Herb (Dolly), and granddaughter Jackie Privet. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church on Tuesday, April 11 at 11 a.m. A graveside military blessing will be held after mass at Mountain View Cemetery.
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal from Apr. 8 to Apr. 9, 2017