Raymond John Facompré

With great sadness the Facompré family morns the loss of Raymond John Facompré (7 March 1929 - 25 July 2024)

Born in Valley Stream, NY Raymond was the last surviving grandchild of the German baker and NYC bakery owner Friedrich AG Facompré of Nienburg and Catherine Ehlke, son of Frederick WG Facompré and Olga Giesecke, husband of Jeanette Guido, father of Frederick R (MaryAnne), Frank (Kathleen) and Raymond, beloved Papa to Christopher (Katherine), Jeanette (Robert), Frank and Nicole and friend to all he ever met. 

Born in 1929, Raymond was one of nine children growing up in the Depression Era. Despite humble beginnings, his adventurous spirit and gentle nature led to a lifetime full with wonderful experiences. He served his country in the NY Guard and the US Navy and served his community as a Captain in the Valley Stream Fire Department. Whether recounting a story of nearly being washed overboard by an unexpected wave, seeing the Acropolis for the first time or experiencing New Orleans during Mardis Gras, it was always with the same enthusiasm and wonderment of a naive young boy who grew up without a TV, Internet or iPhone.

As a young man, he loved boating, motorcycles and fast cars. He and his older brother Fred smuggled big cats and wild monkeys from the rain forests of Columbia to the US where they ran a local pet store until getting caught by officials. 

He raced stock cars at Freeport Raceway. The need for repairs and a place to house cars led to the opening of Facompré's Service Station on Merrick Rd in Valley Stream where he met a pretty brunette 13 years his junior who would become his wife of 61 years. Their marriage was the best example of love, partnership and commitment to each other and family.

He loved his final months in Florida watching all the pretty girls on the beach, sunning himself on the porch and visiting with our wonderful friends and neighbors who never tired of story time with Dad.  

Dad was blessed with such good health that he continued to enjoy restoring a 1931 Ford Model A and fishing with his sons, bowling with his grandson-in-law and so many coffee dates to Dunkin Donuts with his beloved caretaker and daughter-in-law, but the image that will last forever in my mind will always be of Mom and Dad riding their three wheel bikes down the road, side by side, together, as its always been. 

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