Raymond E. Amato, 78, Antis Township died Wednesday afternoon at UPMC Altoona after a brief illness. He was born in Altoona son of the late Ralph F. and Evelyn (Peck) Amato. He married Joyce Merrick on April 12, 1958 at St. Helena’s Catholic Church, Minneapolis, MN. Surviving are his wife of 55 years; two daughters: Karen Amato Post of Antis Township and Kathleen (David) Edmiston of Mechanicsburg; two sons: Michael (Alison) of Bellwood and Joseph (Katherine) of Thousand Oaks, CA; nine grandchildren: Dennis Edmiston, Amanda Gerhart, Nicole Rae Post, Derrick Edmiston, Calvin Amato, Kristina Edmiston, Zachary, Karyss, and Alexander Amato; two great grandchildren: Mollie Gerhart and J.J. Edmiston; a brother: Ralph “Pete” of Altoona; and two sisters: Mary Himes of Altoona and Nancy Little of Florida. He was preceded in death by two sisters: Joanne and Evelyn; and two brothers: Albert Amato and Donald Peck. Ray retired as a supervisor at Conrail. He served in the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict and retired as a Sergeant First Class with the US Army Reserves after 21 years of service. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Bellwood where he served as president of the finance committee. Ray was a well- known member of the community and served in many civic and community organizations including chairman of the Antis Township Board of Supervisors with over 30 years of service and president of Bellwood-Antis Park and Recreation Board. He was a board member of Northern Blair County Recreation Center, past president of Altoona Jaycees and a former state and national director of US Jaycees, a member of Knights of Columbus Msgr. O’Malley Chapter, Bellwood, Jaffa Shrine, American Wine Society, Dry Hollow Run Hunting Camp and many others. Ray enjoyed volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, he also enjoyed hunting, playing bocce, winemaking, playing with his dog Princess and most importantly spending time with his loved ones. Friends will be received from 1-4 & 6-9PM Friday, December 20, 2013 at Jon C. Russin Funeral Home, Bellwood where a vigil for the deceased will also be held. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 9:30AM Saturday, December 21, 2013 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Bellwood, Rev. David H. Roesch celebrant. Committal with military honors will be at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum, Altoona. The family suggests that in memory of Ray contributions be made to Bellwood-Antis Park and Recreation 909 N. 2nd Street Bellwood, PA 16617