February 22 1927 December 31 2019 (age 92)
Obituary GUTTMANN Raymond George Guttmann age 92 died peacefully on December 29, 2019. Beloved husband for 65 years of Sharon (nee Kucharic deceased) He was preceded in death by his loving parents Herman and Leopoldina, and brothers Herbert (Marietta) ) and Walter (Florence). Father of Lynnette (deceased) (Joan Tropf). He is survived by his devoted daughter Cherilyn Rae Byers (Herbert) and loving grandson Raymond Roy Byers and many dear friends. Ray moved his family from Parma to Middleburg Heights in 1967 and became active in the community. While serving on the Middleburg Heights council – he occupied the Ward 4 council seat from 1970-1974, 1976-77 and 1989-2009. He served as Council President from 1974-75 and as Council at Large from 2009-2017. He was a WWII veteran who served at Fort Lee and Fort Belvoir. Guttmann, a baritone, loved to sing. He sang and recorded under the name of Ray Young. Since 1949 he performed waltzes, polkas and big band favorites. His first recording was with Eddie Habat on the Decca label and he went on to record 9 singles with Habat (writing many of the lyrics) Guttmann wrote the lyrics for Erica Waltz, the Whispering Pines, Green Magic Land and many others. From 1964-1984 Guttmann sang with The Hank Haller Band, recording 9 albums and performing on the TV show “Polka Varieties “. He also sang with the Harry Hershey Orchestra for 15 years producing an album”Big Band Grandstand” and performing during the Sunday morning brunches at Swingos at the Statler simultaneously broadcast on WBBG (1260 am). A show with Hershey that honored the 50th anniversary of the end of WWII included Guttmann’s daughter Lynnette as one of the singers . Guttmann sang with the Kenny Bass Orchestra, Ernie Benedict and Frankie Zeitz. He recorded with Fred Ziwichs International Sound Machine, Guttmann performed at many public events (singing the National Anthem in the old Cleveland stadium 3 times) and special occasions including an inauguration of Governor George Voinovich. The Polka Hall of Fame in Euclid honored Guttmann (As Ray Young) for his years as a vocalist and lifelong love of polka music and he was inducted into the Polka Hall of Fame. “The years spent with polka lovers in the Cleveland area are filled with great memories of people, places and good times that I will never forget” said Guttmann. A graduate of John Haye High school, Guttmann attended night classes for 7 years to earn a business degree at Fenn College. He worked at Brush Beryllium Company in Cleveland and beginning in 1972 Guttmann worked as Regional Membership Director at National Tooling and Machining Association managing a 7 state territory until he retired in 1989. Guttmann loved travel, feeding the birds and watching classic movies. Guttmann’s legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew him. All services are Private To send flowers to RAYMOND’s family, please visit our floral section.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of RAYMOND G GUTTMANN February 22 1927 December 31 2019 (age 92).
A. Ripepi & Sons Funeral Homes
Death notice for the town of: Cleveland, state: Ohio