In Loving Memory of Our Brother, Ray Osika
Ray Osika, Verna Corbett's brother and ex-husband, and Blair Corbett's step-brother passed away Thanksgiving Eve, 2018.
Such a loving and caring man, Verna and our large family cared for him in our home, even as we moved from state to state, for 20 years. He never saw me in a negative way, nor did i with him, but he graciously accepted me and us.
Ray was half paralyzed from a stroke 31 years ago, that came as a byproduct of a brain tumor operation. At the same time he lost his eyesight completely when they were forced to cut his optic nerve. Yet Verna painstakingly made things happen so he could walk with a cane. He lost that ability in October 2016 after a fall broke his hip. Yet once mended, he never skipped lunch and dinner at the table with our oversized family. No way would any of us let that happen. He loved hanging out in his special recliner all day listening to old classics that he liked so much like Mash, The Golden Girls, Andy Griffith Show and Rosanne. They made him smile and laugh no matter how many times he listened to the same show. And when it was those shows it was classic soft rock that he grew up with. All of these kept him centered on love, joy, laughter and hope.
Ray loved everybody... "I love all the people" he would remind us almost daily, so happy that we let him live in the home and not some facility. I took him to every doctors appointment, whether figuring our how to transfer him from car to wheelchair, or traveling with him by stretcher transport or ambulance, as the case may be. I am so blessed that he would often say that I was his Hero.
He accepted and showered love on every child, never forgetting their birthday, whether his 2 birth sons, or my 3 birth children, or the 5 special needs children we adopted from foster care; including sons wives, daughters husbands, and the 7 grand children. As the family grew older and some moved away, others, especially our daughters with "special abilities" stepped up and provided care and support in ways the never let Ray feel even an ounce of shame.
Ray LOVED sports, especially his Chicago Bears and Cubs... and his Florida Gators! His memory for sports statistics was amazing. He so greatly loved when anyone, especially his sons Brett Osika and Derek Osika would spend time with him watching their games. Ray cheered, and moaned over plays and seasons as if he was right there and could see every game.
Ray I.... WE, love you so much! We are so thankful that now you can see everything again, you can walk, run and jump. And even though you rarely complained of your physical problems, now in Heaven with Jesus, you have NO memory of them at all.
Rest in Glorious Peace Ray Osika, 11.5.1951 - 11.21.2018
(Mentioning direct family that was here over the last 20 years only. You will see why with the list of names!)
Verna Corbett, ex-wife, sister
Blair Corbett, step brother
Derek Osika, son
Brett Osika, son
Christina Corbett,
Elizabeth Corbett, and 1 grandson
Mary Lynn Corbett,
Carrie Corbett,
Stephanie Corbett,
Brenton Corbett, & wife Lindsey & 6 grandchildren
Bennett Corbett & wife Amanda
Barry Corbett
& his dear devoted CNA who became "sister", Terri Mycoff
We will always love you and carry you with us forever. ❤️
Da Bears.... Come on Cubbies.... Go Gators!
