Raymond Leo Stunzenas

Raymond Leo Stunzenas, age 77, passed away September 24,2026 peacefully after a sudden and unexpected battle with an aggressive form of lymphoma. A devoted husband to Leslie of 54 years and a loving father to Scott and Greg, Ray built his life around caring for his family. Everything he did was, in one way or another, for them. Born in Herdecke (Ruhr), Germany, to the late Leonis and Martha Stunzenas, Ray immigrated to the United States as a spirited two-year-old and planted deep roots in South Boston. Southie helped shape the man he would become: hardworking, loyal, generous, and always willing to lend a hand. Ray dedicated 43 years to the Boston hospital system as a radiologic technologist. This included the Boston Hospital System, the Rhode Island Department of Forensics, as well as a traveling radiologist for an Orthopedic organization. He worked tirelessly, often taking on overtime, pumping gas and delivering flyers, while each time bundling the boys into their car seats to give his family the opportunities he didn’t have. He and Leslie made their sons’ education a priority, supported their dreams, and loved cheering them on from the sidelines of their soccer games. Just as important were the memories they made. Family vacations began with a pop-up camper at Pinewood Lodge Campground in Carver, where Scott and Greg spent their days swimming out to the dock and fishing in the lake. Later came a motor home and adventures from Maine to Florida, seeing moose to dolphins, even stopping at Myrtle Beach during hurricane season. Ray worked hard to give their boys those experiences, and the time together became a treasured part of their childhood. Ray could fix just about anything. A classic tinkerer, he spent hours repairing lawn mowers and leaf blowers, and working on his beloved John Deere. His shed was meticulously organized, and his willingness to help others extended well beyond his own address. He’d love a good nor’easter; he would finish plowing his driveway and head down the street to clear his neighbors’.

The concept of “retirement” was loosely applied to Ray. He was a man who literally could not sit still. If a faucet leaked, a motor sputtered, or a friend’s shelf was crooked, Ray was already on his way with his toolbox in his truck with license plate R9Y. He was widely regarded as one of the genuinely generous human beings to ever live, consistently putting everyone else’s happiness and needs above his own. When Scott’s 1967 Mustang, which Ray rebuilt, broke down in New Jersey on his way back to college, Ray drove three hours to reach him, fixed the car in minutes, and turned around to go home. That was Ray: if someone he loved needed him, he showed up. Retirement brought more time for the things he loved. After his brother Al passed away, Ray helped care for Al’s residence in North Carolina, honoring his brother’s memory. At home, he and Leslie had their “staycation” complete with a koi pond, bird feeders, and love filled from their rescue dogs. It was there they had everything they needed – it was always retirement or a vacation because they had each other. Ray sold the last of the RV for fiberglass for a Grady White when Scott and Greg bought him a boat as a retirement gift. Together they named it Trilogy to signify the bond between a father and his two sons. Ray kept it immaculate and loved being aboard—even when it never left the dock at Green Harbor. If the seas were too rough, Leslie would pack a picnic, and they would happily sit together, content simply to be there.

Ray loved Christmas—the traditions, family gatherings, and usually a few too many Christmas cookies. During his 113 days in the hospital, he wanted Christmas music playing alongside a holiday yule log screensaver. A devoted Patriots fan, Ray watched the Patriots win on his final day, surrounded by the love of his life and his boys. After years of hard work, worry, and unwavering love, he had the people who mattered most beside him. He was the ultimate family man, and they were his greatest accomplishment. Ray’s memory will be fiercely protected and forever cherished by his loving wife of 54 years, Leslie Stunzenas of Marshfield; his eldest son, Scott Stunzenas of Hingham, and Scott’s partner, Kerry Brett; his youngest son, Gregory Stunzenas of Pennsylvania and his wife, Kara Deutsch,; his devoted niece, Christine Stunzenas of South Boston, and her partner, Tom; and his sister-in-law, Yoshiko Stunzenas, wife of Ray’s late older brother, Al Stunzenas.

Ray spent his life building, fixing, helping, and caring for those around him. His love will live on in his family and in the countless ways he made life better for others. Ray will be remembered for his profound kindness, his booming laughter, and his fiercely loving spirit. He was, and always will be, deeply loved and greatly missed.

Services will be held at a later date. In Ray's memory and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Inpatient Hematology/Oncology Fund at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, by mail to BIDMC Gift Processing, Office of Philanthropy, 529 Main Street, Suite 400, Charlestown, MA 02129.