Deacon Harry Raymond Hatala, 83, known by all as “Deacon Ray,” of Poland, passed away on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Hospice House in Poland. He was born August 1, 1940, in Youngstown, a son of John and Mary (Holecko) Hatala, and was a lifelong area resident.
Following his graduation in 1958 from Woodrow Wilson High School, he went to serve in the United States Air Force as a medical corpsman in the 861st Medical Group from 1958 to 1962. A printer by trade, Deacon Ray was employed as a print shop supervisor for the National Tea Company and Republic Steel. He retired from Youngstown State University after 24 years of service, where he held the position of print shop supervisor.
Deacon Ray was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Youngstown by Bishop James Malone on August 16, 1980, and was appointed associate director of the permanent diaconate from 1990 to 2010. Deacon Ray was a permanent deacon and pastoral associate for Holy Family Parish in Poland since 1980. He was proud to train and support the youth of Holy Family Parish and its approximately 150 elementary and high school Altar Server Ministry Teams. Deacon Ray helped to initiate and was very active in the St. Vincent DePaul Conference from its very beginning at Holy Family in 1980 and was appointed the spiritual advisor for the St. Vincent DePaul Youngstown Chapter in 1980.
His wife, Susann Barbara Skebo, whom he married April 16, 1966, passed away November 23, 2021. Deacon Ray and Sue were both preceded in death by their beautiful children, William (Billy) and Mary Hatala. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John M. Hatala.
Deacon Ray is survived by his sister-in-law, Patricia Hatala of Poland; a brother-in-law, Joseph Skebo of Youngstown; and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Holy Family Parish in Poland. Friends and parishioners may pay their respects in the quietness of the church from 9 to 10:15 a.m. prior to the Mass at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that any material contributions take the form of donations to the Hospice of the Valley Hospice House in Poland, 9803 Sharrott Road, Poland, Ohio 44514, or to, in Deacon Ray’s words, “anything to help the poor.” Arrangements are entrusted to Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home 75 South Union Ave Alliance, Ohio 44601. Friends and family may share condolences and memories online at www.ctcfuneral.com.
