Obituaries
Ray H. “Ozzie” Oswald, 84
April 08, 2018
Ray H. “Ozzie” Oswald, 84, of Lancaster, died unexpectedly at Lancaster General Hospital on April 8, 2018. Born in Kutztown on June 2, 1933, Ray was the son of Herman and Edna Sensenderfer Oswald and was married to Carol Young Oswald for 51 years.
Ray graduated from Kutztown Area High School, where he lettered in soccer, basketball, and baseball. He was All-State Honorable Mention for basketball in 1951, and won three county, two district, and two state basketball championships with his team. Following graduation, Ray enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Postal Unit Reserves. His enlistment was transferred into the U.S. Navy, where he served overseas during the Korean War as a Signalman and Quartermaster Third Class (QM3) on the destroyer USS Preston. He was honorably discharged in 1956.
After Ray returned home, he played fast pitch softball in the County Fireman’s League. He moved to Lancaster in 1966 and began playing softball in the Lancaster Rec League, which was considered one of the best leagues in the country. He started and coached the Yingst Auto Sales fast pitch softball team, which won state and regional titles and finished third at nationals. He managed and helped coach the York Barbell AA team to four straight national AA tournament titles and four regional titles. He was assistant coach when York Barbell merged with the Reading Sunners.
Ray coached the women’s Diplomats softball team at Franklin & Marshall College from 1984 to 1993, leading the 1989-90 team to the Middle Atlantic Conference championship. His record as the winningest softball coach in F&M history was only recently broken in 2016. Many of Ray’s players still keep in touch with him.
Ray also was the general manager and coach of the Lancaster Storm semi-professional basketball team, which won two championships in three years. He coached CYO boy’s basketball at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, was president of the men’s open class fast pitch softball league for 7 years, umpired for 25 years, ran the adult men’s and women’s winter and summer basketball programs for the Lancaster Recreation Commission for 31 years, and refereed basketball.
Ray has been inducted into the American Softball Association Hall of Fame, Lancaster Fast Pitch Hall of Fame, Susquehanna Valley Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame, and Kutztown Area High School Athletic Hall of Fame, and was a winner of the Bing Conlin Award for Softball. His Kutztown High School ’50 – ’51 basketball team was inducted into the Berks County Chapter of the PA Hall of Fame.
Professionally, Ray worked in sales for many years and is a past president of the Fleetwood chapter of the Jaycees. He retired from the Manheim Auto Auction, where he was Director of Public Relations, and continued to work part-time in the auto auction business for some time after retirement. He was an avid follower of sprint car racing, Penn State football; the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, and 76ers; Villanova Men’s basketball; and Lancaster Catholic High School basketball. It was a great year for Ray as a fan!
In addition to his wife, Ray is survived by a sister, Helen Cartwright; two daughters, Kimberly (Joe) Donaldson and Wendy (Mike) Woytovich; daughters-in-law, Melissa and Kathy Oswald; grandchildren, Caeli, Max, Olivia, Evan, Ed, Alexis, Derek, Abbey, Amanda, and Courtney; numerous nieces and nephews; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sons, Edward D. and Jason R. Oswald, as well as two brothers, four sisters, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
If heaven is what we love most, Ray is now shooting baskets with Ed and Jason while Rollie Massimino shouts encouragement from the sidelines.
A celebration of Ray’s life will be held Saturday, April 14, 2018, at 11 AM at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 10 Delp Rd., Lancaster, PA. It will be a time of sharing, so please come with a good story that’s suitable to share in a church! Visitation with the family will take place from 9:30 – 11 AM at the church. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Ray Oswald Scholarship Fund, Lancaster Catholic High School, 650 Juliette Ave, Lancaster, PA 17601, or Share of Lancaster, 414 E King St, Lancaster, PA 17602, in memory of Ray’s grandson, Reed Donaldson.
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Condolences to the Family
May 08, 2021
Ray was simply one of a kind class man. When I first started buying cars in manheim I got to know Ray well and he was a great friend to me. I know how much everyone loved him. He is so missed.
Mike Warner
April 14, 2018
I have known Ozzie for many years through our mutual interest in sports. He oftern came to see my basketball games at McCaskey and always stopped at the concession stand to talk to me and Gloria before my games started. We send you our sympathies and hope that the thoughts of others bring you some comfort. Steve Powell
April 14, 2018
To the extended Oswald family – Ray was certainly “one of a kind”. I first met him when I was the Director of Athletics at Franklin & Marshall College. The College was in the early stages of developing intercollegiate sports for women and I was in need of a coach for women’s softball. After interviewing Ray, I knew he was the man for the job. During his 9 year tenure as the head coach, he took the team from being an afterthought to one that contended for the league championship each year. The women that played for him thought of him not only as their coach but also as their friend, mentor, and father figure. A man of many talents, he will be missed by his former players as well as the athletic administrators at the college, both active and retired. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
William Marshall, Ph.D.
Director of Athletics Emeriti
Franklin and Marshall College
April 12, 2018
Carol, So sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Cheryl Whitehead
April 12, 2018
Carol and family, So very sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. Such a vibrant personality and a pleasure to work with at MAA. My thoughts and prayers are with you and family during this difficult time.
April 12, 2018
Carol and family….We are so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. He left quite a legacy and will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. May God give you comfort along with your many fond memories to get through this very difficult time. Keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Jim and Mary Ann Mahler
April 11, 2018
My condolences to Ray’s family and friends as well.
I knew Ray very well during my growing up years in Kutztown. He was also a distant relative of mine.
He, along with all the other players, was one of my heros on the PIAA State Champion Basketball championship teams at KHS in 1950 and 1951. He was a very good player and starter on the team.
I read his obit. It looks like he spent most of his life coaching several different sports at lots of different places in the Lancaser County area. That’s a great way to spend your time, I’m sure he loved what he was doing.
We will all miss Ray, but now he’s at a better place and we’ll all meet once again and for eternity.
George Erb, Gilroy, CA.
April 11, 2018
Carol, I’m so so sad to hear of Ozzie’ s passing! I would think of him often, we certainly had a lot of good times! He was always one of my favorites, please know I’m thinking of you and the family, May he RIP. Donna Stauffer
April 11, 2018
I have known Ray for a long time. Had many, mant friendly conversations with him. He did a tremendous job on promoting fast pitch softball.. Was exdtremely well liked and was truely deserving of the accoldaes he received throughout his life. His name will always be remembered for his great contributions in spoerts throughout his career. I will miss him very much and will never forget RAY OSWALD.mAY YOUR FAMILY BE COMFORTED BY THE MANY WARM thoughts and memories he left with you.
April 11, 2018
One of a kind guy who was never afraid to speak his mind. He will be missed.
Michael Scott
April 11, 2018
I have known Ray for many years, first since he coached basketball to my nephew, Shawn Reinfried, in the eighties.I knew him while he worked at Manheim Auto Auction ( as a vendor, I provide service to Manheim Auto Auction), and for the past four years he has attended and mentored my granddaughter, Lauren Mills, at her Lancaster Catholic Girls Varsity Basketball games. Ray was a good man. Always trying to help guide and coach. When news arrived of his passing, Lauren was very sad. He passed on the very day that the Lancaster Catholic Girls Basketball team got together for their banquet and celebration of the year. He will be missed!!!!
With sincerest condolences and love,
Lynn Kuhn
Former LCHS grad, friend to Ray, Owner of Auto Glass Fix
April 11, 2018
Carol…… so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. I was overwhelmed reading his obituary and seeing all of his accomplishments!!! Of course, his life with you and the family is his greatest accomplishment! May you find peace in the good memories. God’s Blessing be with you!
Donna and Skeeter Carr
April 11, 2018
Carol , So shocked to read of Ray’s passing. My thoughts, prayers and hugs are with you and your family. Please call if you need anything or just to talk. Love your old buddy , Helen Evans Fink
- Visitation
- Saturday, April 14, 2018
- 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
- 10 Delp Rd.
- Lancaster, PA
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions > - Services
- Saturday, April 14, 2018
- 11:00 AM
- St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
- 10 Delp Rd.
- Lancaster, PA
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions >
