Raymond Gruber Jr.
June 1, 1951 ~ April 23, 2026
Born in: Harpersfield, OH
Raymond (Ray) Gruber, a resident of Harpersfield Township, surrounded by his wife, Fran and family went to his Lord and Savior on Thursday, April 23, 2026. He was the son to Raymond & Fina Gruber and was born on June 1, 1951. Ray married Fran on May 6, 1972 at St. Vitus Church in Cleveland.
Survivors are his wife of nearly 54 years, of Harpersfield; son, Eric of Cortland, Ohio, Ryan of Oakland, Maine and Joshua of Harpersfield Township. He has five grandchildren: Gage, Eric Jr., Deanna, Hazel and Carter. Brothers, Richard (Ellie) of California, Robert (Heather) of North Carolina and sister Pat (late Ryan) Penvose of Harpersfield.
After graduation from Geneva High in 1969 he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Following his discharge, he worked at Geneva Rubber, Reliance Electric, Coe Mfg. and then became a Staff Representative for the United Steelworkers until his retirement in 2016. Ray and his wife owned North Coast Driving School. Ray & Fran then took over the family vineyards in Harpersfield which were established in 1920.
Ray is a Harpersfield Township Trustee and a member of the Ashtabula Township Association. He served as a Board Member for Northwest Ambulance, Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce and President of the Geneva Area Senior Corporation. Ray served on several Ashtabula County Committees and the Ashtabula County Port Authority Board. Prior President of Ashtabula County AFL-CIO and past President of Local Union 12833, United Steelworkers and current Board Chairman for the Welfare and Scholarship Program for the United Steelworkers, District One. Ray was a former member of the Harpersfield Ruritans. He was a member of the American Legion George Call Post 124. Ray worked closely with the Alexander Harper Family in preserving the heritage of Harpersfield Township. He was a prior member of Assumption Church. He was a lifetime member of the Democratic Party and supported working women and men’s issues.
He was preceded in his death by his parents, Raymond & Eufrosina; sister, Priscilla Bell and Brother-in-law, Ryan Penvose.
Friends will be received from 2-4 & 6-8PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at The Behm Family Funeral Home, 175 S. Broadway, in Geneva. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at Assumption Catholic Church in Geneva. Burial will take place at Harpersfield Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Geneva Area Senior Center, Harpersfield Fire Dept or Assumption Church. Online obituary and condolences may be viewed at www.behmfuneral.com
Services
Visitation: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Behm Family Funeral Homes - Geneva
175 South Broadway
Geneva, OH 44041
(440) 466-4324
Visitation: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Behm Family Funeral Homes - Geneva
175 South Broadway
Geneva, OH 44041
(440) 466-4324
Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 11:00 am
Assumption Catholic Church
594 West Main Street
Geneva, OH 44041
440-466-3427
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Love and prayers to Fran and Ray’s family. Ray’s passing initially left me with a deep sadness over his loss of life. That feeling has changed to one of gratitude for the many happy times we have shared. They are ever present in my mind and cannot be taken away by death and his physical absence. And so I celebrate his life on earth(the land of the dying) and I celebrate even more his new life in heaven(the land of eternal life). This is our faith which sustains us through the hard times. So I join the hundreds of people who can say like me: thank you God for bringing Ray into my life! Miss you my friend. Zivijo Slovenske!
My favorite memory of you was the suit you wore to Eric’s and mine wedding. It was unique just like you were. My other memory was when you held Deanna up during the happy birthday song in Slovenian. She was scared and cried and I was thinking to myself”put her down” but looking back on it now, it was funny.
Love and prayers to you all ❤️
It was a pleasure to get to know Ray through my work with the County Prosecutor’s Office. He was always kind and always spoke lovingly of his family. Love and peace to them…and everyone who will miss him.
Thank you for your life long commitment to the Ashtabula community, the Labor Movement and most importantly the workers and their families. Thank you, for giving me the opportunity to work and learn alongside you at the Ashtabula AFL-CIO central labor council. Thank you for the advocacy, support and action you always gave to our members of Local 1197 when called upon. Thank you for being such a great mentor and most importantly- thank you for being such a great friend.
🕊️Rest in Power Brother ✊🏽Union Strong ‼️
Steve Lanham
Union Staff Representative
AFSCME Ohio Council 8, AFL-CIO
~ Former Local 1197 – City of Ashtabula City Employees President & VP of the Ashtabula AfL-CIO, Central Labor Council
My Sympathyies to Rays family and to Fran, the love of his life. Ray was a wonderful man and so respected! May he rest in peace knowing the good he did while he was on this earth! Love Carol Brainard
My sincere condolences to Fran and family. There really are no words to ease your loss and express my sadness at this time. However, let me express my privledge to be one of Ray’s friends. Ray was a good person who definitely believed in helping people. He was all about public service, Harpersfield township, the Geneva area, the union movement, the Assumption Church and his family. Ray was a Democrat who served as a delegate at the 2000 presidential convention and supported quality candidates. Ray liked challenges. When most people think about retirement Ray and Fran took over the Gruber Family grape farm. Ray was an honorable person who offered measured decisions and kept his word.
When I learned of Ray’s passing many memories and experiences with Ray since high school ran through my mind. I especially remember him singing and playing his guiter during the polka masses at the Assumption church. At the end of mass and right now, I can hear him singing Hank Williams’ song, “I Saw the Light.”