Paul Ray Petaja

JENSEN BEACH, Fla. – Paul Ray, 75, died January 23, 2017, in Jensen Beach, after a long and valiant battle with cancer.

He leaves his devoted and loving wife, MaryAnn of 28 years; his daughter, Jacqueline Delancey (Mike); his son, Michael (Terry); three stepsons, Brian (Heather), Douglas (Suzanne) and Matthew (Karen) Zimmerman; and  seven grandchildren. Paul is survived by his brother, Victor “Bucky” Petaja (Della); and two sisters, Kathy Petaja and Linda Moore; his niece, Tracy Broadfield; and his nephew, Victor Petaja, Jr.

He was predeceased by his brother, Bill Petaja, several years earlier.

He  was born in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and raised mostly in Laurium. He was the son of Reino and Hilda (Makinen) Petaja.

Paul served in the Navy in his early years and later settled in New York and was employed by the N.Y.C. Transit Authority until his retirement, when he relocated to Jensen Beach, Florida.

Paul was an avid stamp collector, enjoyed traveling with his wife and enjoyed working on projects around the house.

Reposing was at Perry Funeral Home, in Lynbrook, Florida.