Raymond Vincent Gentile

November 24, 1931 - October 29, 2016

Raymond Gentile, 84 of Olathe, Kansas, passed away on the 29th of October, 2016.

Ray was born on November 24, 1931 to Raymond and Delphine Gentile. He attended schools in Columbus, Ohio and subsequently studied and graduated from The Ohio State University in 1953 with a degree in accounting and finance. While at Ohio State, he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and the OSU Marching Band.

He served honorably in the U.S. Army Finance Corps from 1953 to 1955. After his discharge, he joined Price Waterhouse & Company as an auditor earning his CPA Certificate in 1959.

In 1964 he became a pilot with TWA. In 1967 he upgraded to captain on the Boeing 727, subsequently earning captain ratings on the Douglas DC-9 and the Lockheed L-1011. He retired from TWA in 1990 as an International Captain. Ray was intensely proud of the fact that in 55 years of flying, he never put a scratch on a person or an airplane.

His ultimate pride and joy was a 1934 Rolls-Royce convertible which he found in a junkyard, restoring it over a five year period to a prize-winning beauty. As a result of what he learned during the restoration, he authored a book, published in London in 1980 titled: "The Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental". It is considered by Rolls-Royce enthusiasts throughout the world as the ultimate "bible" on that particular model.

As the time of his death, he was a member of the TWA Retired Pilots Association, The Commemorative Air Force, Heart of America Wing and played trombone in the Overland Park Civic Band.

His wife of 55 years, Donna, passed away in 2010. Survivors include his three children, Douglas, Suzanne and Jill.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Heart of America Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, 6 Aero Plaza New Century, Kansas 66031

Ray played baritone as a member of the marching band from 1950 through 1952.