Ray Wagar, 81, beloved husband and father, passed away Saturday, July 19, 2008, at his home in Medina after a long battle with cancer.

He was born June 11, 1927, in Lakewood and was a resident of Avon, where he served the community faithfully as an Avon school board member, an Avon city councilman, a member of the Avon Planning Commission and mayor of Avon in the 1960s, as well as an avid member of the Avon High School Booster Club. Mr. Wagar was a lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. As a 32nd-degree Mason, he was a member of the Mid-Century Masonic Lodge since 1950 and the Al Koran Shrine as well. He worked at Hanna Mining Co. in Cleveland for 32 years, retiring from there to move to Avon Lake, and then Leesburg, Fla., where he enjoyed 12 years of golf and sunshine. He enjoyed traveling, reading, golfing and wood carving. After his son, Mark, and daughter, Susan, attended Ohio State University, where Mark played basketball for the Buckeyes in the early '70s, Ray continued to be an avid OSU fan. He was passionate about supporting the work of the Shrine Hospitals for crippled children. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in Germany with the Army Occupation Forces. Friends and family alike will always remember Ray's sense of humor, his love of music, and his honesty and integrity. He will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Polly; son, Mark L. (Ellen) Wagar; daughter, Susan (Larry) Jarvis; grandchildren, Mark Ray Wagar, Bret Wagar, Daniel Jarvis, Deborah Jarvis and David Jarvis; and two great-grandchildren, Noah and Micah Jarvis.

Memorial service: 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Wagar home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Medina County, 797 N. Court St., Medina, 44256; or Shrine Burn and Crippled Children's Hospitals, Al Koran Headquarters, 1000 E. Edgerton Road, Broadview Heights, 44147.