Raymond L. Gotta

Springfield – Raymond “Ray” Laurence Gotta, 78, passed away peacefully Thursday February 25th at his home, with his loving family at his side. Born in Springfield to the late Joseph E. and Frances J. (Ferrero) Gotta, he was a lifelong Springfield resident. Ray graduated from Technical High School in Springfield in 1955 and received his Bachelors from Babson College in 1959. Ray worked within the Insurance Industry for many years, retiring from Zampiceni Financial in West Springfield as Chief of Staff in 2002. He was most proud of his business that he owned and operated from 1964 – 1980, Gotta’s Recreational Vehicles in Wilbraham. He was a member of the Elk’s Lodge in Ludlow, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, the National Rifle Association and served on the Board of Trustees for the Hawley, MA Historical Society “Sons and Daughters of Hawley”. Ray was a longtime communicant of Holy Cross Church in Springfield. Over the years he enjoyed his many hunting trips with his sons, fishing at the Deerfield River, woodworking, spending summers in Hawley, MA at the ‘Leisure Lodge’ and cheering on New England sports teams, especially the Boston Red Sox. He played Saxophone throughout High School in a dance band and the “Old Tech Tantrums”. He even passed on his saxophone skills to his oldest granddaughter who continues to play today. He is remembered as a caring, compassionate, supportive and understanding man. You could depend on Ray as the ‘go to guy’. He was the loving husband of 55 years, to Phyllis A. (Lalli) Gotta of Springfield, devoted father to Felicia Ann Gotta of Griswold, CT, Daniel R. Gotta and his wife Anne Marie of Hampden, Peter M. Gotta and his wife Suzanne of Ludlow and Maria E. Gotta of Livingston, MT; brother to Louis Gotta of West Springfield and Margaret Halgas of Wilbraham and proud Papa to Lydia, Danielle, Michael, Jack and Kayla. He also leaves many nieces and nephews and very dear friends including, Colleen Moynihan who Ray and Phyllis thank for introducing the two of them over 55 years ago, and to a man Ray mentored, Mark Vaclavicek, who the family thanks for having been a wonderful surrogate son and family friend. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his four brothers, Frank, Ernest, David and Vincent Gotta. The family wishes to express their loving thanks to all his caregivers, especially Mercy Home Care nurse, Chris Hess; Homewatch Caregivers, Georgetta, Siera, George, Michelle, Patty and Roderick and Mercy Hospice, Brenda and Diane. Family and friends are invited to meet for calling hours on Monday February 29th from 4-7 PM at the Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow. Ray’s Funeral Ceremony will be held Tuesday March 1st beginning at 8:45 AM at the Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 AM at Holy Cross Church, 221 Plumtree Rd. Springfield. Burial will be held in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Springfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104-2396 or to the Sons & Daughters of Hawley Historical Society, P.O. Box 206, Hawley, MA 01339. www.forastiere.com    

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