Raymond L. Di Iulio

Raymond Leo Di Iulio (Ray) of Ellison Bay, WI age 84, died September 2, 2018 at Sturgeon Bay Health Services

Born September 19, 1933 to Michael Vincent Di Iulio and Viola (Cheli) Di Iulio in Iron Mountain, Michigan.

In 1957, he married Helene Marie Selsor, formerly of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. in Chicago, Illinois, who survives.

Ray graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1952. He received degrees from Cook County Hospital Lab and X-Ray School in 1955, a BS from De Paul University in Chicago, Illinois in 1963, and following a year’s residency at

MacNeal Memorial Hospital in Berwyn, Illinois, he received an MBA in Hospital Administration from George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Ray began his career in Hospital Administration at MacNeal serving that community from 1963 until 1968 when he became Assistant Administrator and then Executive Vice President of St. Luke’s Hospital in Racine, Wisconsin. In 1979, he became President and CEO of St. Luke’s and served in that capacity until retiring in 1996. He was very proud of the St. Luke’s sponsored Christmas House that raised many thousands of dollars for the Cancer Center over an eight-year period. In addition, while in Racine, Ray served on many agency boards and chaired a United Way Campaign. He helped guide the merger of Saint Mary’s and St. Luke’s Hospitals before his retirement in 1996.

After retiring, he and Helene moved to Door County and settled on 180 acres the family owned since 1966. They were among 37 founding members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County. Ray was President of the Fellowship for two years, guiding toward the purchase of the Fellowship’s first building. Ray was a member and vice president of the Newport State Park Wilderness Society, volunteering in many capacities for the organization and at the Park.

Ray was an expert vegetable gardener, and a fine woodcarver. He loved to downhill ski and taught his children at an early age to love the sport. The family enjoyed skiing many areas of the country together but some of his best times were with a group of hard-core skiers, storytellers, and lovers of wine, with whom he skied yearly in Aspen, CO until well into his seventies. Musky fishing in Three Lakes, WI with a similar group of Racine friends was another annual event for many years.

Ray was an outstanding cook. Preparing sumptuous Italian dinners for his family and friends were his specialty, often hosting parties where guests made the sausage and pasta. During the skiing and fishing outings, Ray did the planning and cooking of gourmet meals for the “guys”.

In Ray’s later years, he suffered from a major depressive disorder, which was unrelenting even with many medications and treatments. He stopped gardening and carving, and withdrew from all beloved activities, organizations and social outings.

All who knew his talents and cheerful and helpful personality missed his presence. His family and friends were always supportive and understanding during this illness. It is good to believe he is now at peace.

He is survived by Helene and three wonderful adult children: Michael James

Di Iulio, (Susan Arterberry) Ellison Bay, WI and Breckenridge, CO; Amy Marie May (Brian) Hartland, WI; and Dale Selsor Di Iulio, Saukville, WI, four grandchildren Amanda Marie (Di Iulio) Kelly (Troy), Langhorne, PA, Emily Grace Di Iulio (Josh Opitz), Great Falls, MT, Ryan Michael May, Milwaukee, WI and Allyson Louise May of Hartland and DeKalb, Il and a brand new great granddaughter, Jordan Marie Kelly born August 10, 2018.

Ray’s only sibling, Catherine Toniolo, died in 2017 at the age of 85. He dearly loved Catherine’s children, Mary, John, and Jim. Ray’s brother-in-law and a sailing and skiing friend Quinn Selsor died in 2016.

Also surviving are Helene’s brother Bill Selsor, his wife Margaret, their daughter Marla Kusan (Shane), son Charles (Daniele), sister-in-law Roberta Selsor, and her children Kim, Quinn, Beth and Paul. Ray was especially close to Quinn, Jr.

Ray’s ashes will be divided between the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship’s Memorial Garden and the land that he gardened for many years. Ray requested there be no funeral or Memorial Service. A gathering of remembrance for friends and family will be held in the spring or summer.

Memorials may be directed to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County, P.O Box 859, Sister Bay, WI 54234 or to the Newport State Park Wilderness Society, P. O. Box 475, Ellison Bay, WI 54210.

The family would like to thank the staffs of both Sturgeon Bay Health Services and Unity Hospice for wonderful care they gave to Ray.

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