Raymond M. Carlucci

Raymond Michael Carlucci, 96, died on January 14, 2024 surrounded by family at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix from natural causes.   

Ray was born in Manhattan, NY.  He attended Public School No. 1, graduated Seward Park High School in 1944, and became an aircraft mechanic in Rome, NY repairing and building aircraft engines during WWII.  He was honorably discharged as a private from the service.  His 39-year career with Trans World Airlines in NY began as a mechanic.   He grew with the industry and became a pilot.  

He was a crew member on the Lockheed Constellation flight that holds an endurance record for a commercial revenue passenger flight that lasted 23 hours and 19 minutes from London Heathrow to San Francisco.   He was particularly proud of this flight and how he economized on fuel to make the journey successful. 

Ray met his beloved wife, Rosella, a TWA hostess, on another Constellation flight. He also flew Convair 880s, Boeing 707s and Boeing 747s.  At TWA’s JFK Training Center, he trained many 747 crews, notably the Presidential Air Force 1 crews.  This was not the career path you might have predicted for a man whose father came to America from Italy at age 2 and was pulled out of school at grade 6 to begin working.

Beyond TWA, Ray honored his father’s legacy by serving on the Board of Directors for Green Bus Lines and its NYC affiliates where his father was a founding member.

Ray is survived by his four children, Cheryl, Greg, Phil, Doug and his wife Julie; and his three grandchildren, Michael, Bella and Serafina.  He is preceded in death by his wife, Rosella, parents Charles and Edith, and his brother Fred.

Ray was a loving husband, devoted father, grandfather, mentor, and provider for his family.  His greatest joy in life was spending time with his family, whether it be a simple dinner or a family celebration.  Ray also valued the friendships he developed throughout his life.  He was deeply loved by his family and will be missed by all.

A funeral Mass was held in Phoenix, Arizona on February 23 at Sagewood Retirement Community, where he attended Mass and lived among many friends.

New York services will begin with visitation on Monday, May 20, 2024 from 2:00-4:30pm and 7:00-9:30pm at Mangano Funeral Home at 1701 Deer Park Avenue, Deer Park, NY 11729.  Church services will be held May 21 at 10:30am at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church at 39 N Carll Avenue, Babylon, NY 11702.  Following Mass, Ray will be buried with his wife at Pinelawn Memorial Cemetery.