Obituary of Edmund Raymond Sledzik

Edmund Raymond Sledzik, a 46-year resident of Reston, VA, passed away peacefully at home with his family on October 8, 2012 after battling colon cancer. He was the beloved husband of Carolyn (Glennon) Sledzik with whom he would have celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary in November. Many friends and work associates knew him as "Ed"; his family knew him as "Ray". Ray was born in Webster, MA on June 28, 1937. He was the first child of the late Edmund George and Lucille (McIntosh) Sledzik. He was raised and educated in Clinton, MA, after moving there in 1941, and graduated from Clinton High School in 1955. One of his favorite childhood memories was delivering the afternoon newspaper. He delivered to the local movie theater for which he earned free passes to all the movies. He was also an outstanding high school basketball player and received the MVP award his senior year. His family then moved to Groton, MA in 1958. Ray attended the College of the Holy Cross and in 1959, graduated with a B.A. degree in History. His father told everyone he played for Holy Cross. He did, but it was with the clarinet in the marching band! His senior year, he was the student band director. Ray graduated from Boston University Law School in 1963, where he received two degrees, J.D. (Juris Doctor) and Master's of Law in Taxation. Ray met Carolyn at a "mixer" (college dance) while they were both attending Boston University. They married on November 24, 1963, two days after John F. Kennedy's assassination, and traveled to Washington, DC for their honeymoon. Many of the historical sites were closed in preparation for the president's funeral. While sitting across from the IRS building, Carolyn suggested Ray request an interview while they were there. He was offered the job and the newlyweds moved to Washington, DC in 1964. Ray continued to work at the IRS until his retirement in 1990. In 1966, Ray and Carolyn moved to Reston, VA, where Ray became the scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 1970. He took his scouts to the World Jamboree in Idaho and camping in Philmont, NM. 1966 was also the year he purchased his first Lhasa Apso. He showed him in Obedience and then in Conformation. He bred many champions and one multiple "Best in Show" Dog. In 1974, he became a dog show judge for the American Kennel Club. He judged in the United States, as well as in Mexico, Canada, Great Britain, Taiwan, Australia and Finland. Ray was a delegate to the American Kennel Club for 29 years, serving on the Trial Boards and the Strategic Planning Committee. Ray was nominated this year for the AKC Lifetime Achievement Award. After his two daughters, Keri and Kim, were born in 1970 and 1971, Ray took part in their sports activities and was their coach in soccer and basketball for many years. After Ray retired from the IRS in 1990, he tried mastering Chinese cooking and destroyed the kitchen. After a few months of this, Carolyn told him he needed to go into private practice. Ray soon established his own firm and worked with individuals and non-profit organizations' taxes. His daughter, Keri, began working with him in 1996. His three granddaughters were born; Alyssa in 2001, Kelsey and Chloe in 2002. Their initials spell out AKC (American Kennel Club) and, no, this was not planned. Ray had a great passion for traveling. His two favorite destinations were Hawaii and Alaska. He also enjoyed Civil War history (taking great pride in his ancestry to a veteran of the Battle of Gettysburg), sharing the stories of his childhood, watching sports and talking politics in general. He was an enthusiastic fan of the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins. He could recall events and dates from the past as if they occurred yesterday. He would have made a wonderful history professor, which was his first career choice before he decided to pursue a law degree. On many occasions, one would learn a history lesson from talking to Ray. Most importantly, he enjoyed being with his family and friends. In March 2012, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. He enjoyed his last months vacationing for two weeks in Hawaii, cruising around Alaska and Bermuda, and celebrating two separate 75th birthday parties; one at his home in Reston in June and the other in July in New Hampshire with his New England relatives and friends in attendance. Family and friends will always remember his big and warm heart. Ray was truly a very generous, decent and kind man as well as a devoted Christian. He was a loving Husband, the most amazing Dad, Papa, brother, uncle and wonderful friend. In addition to his wife, Carolyn, he is survived by his two daughters, Keri Staubs (David, husband) of Reston, VA, and Kim Sledzik of Reston, VA, and three grandchildren, Alyssa and Chloe Schewe and Kelsey Sledzik, two younger sisters, Linda Hennis of Clinton, MA and Bonnie Boutselis (William, husband) of Hudson, NH, one younger brother, Andrew Sledzik of Reston, VA, as well as many nieces and nephews.