Obituary of Raymond Oliver Ferrarin

Raymond Oliver Ferrarin passed away on October 12, 2023 at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA in a room full of love, surrounded by his family. For two years, Ray faced each day courageously, with great strength and ultimate optimism in his fight to conquer pancreatic cancer. He was succeeding in that fight when he experienced complications.

Ray was born in San Diego, CA on November 18, 1959 to Adelico Giovanni Ferrarin and Martha Marie Agnes Stender. He was raised by his father and step-mother, Wilma Gherce Ferrarin, in a house that was always full of neighbors and friends. He attended Crawford High School where he excelled academically and on the soccer field.  Ray was an industrious teen. At 14, he began mowing lawns and working on construction sites with his Dad who instilled in Ray an incredible work ethic. After attending San Diego State University for a year, he took an opportunity with Tools R Us as an Operations Manager, traveling the western U.S. setting up new franchise stores. He then returned to San Diego and managed the retail store for Ridout Plastics.

Five years after a chance meeting at Ridout Plastics, Ray married Kimberly Gardner on October 19, 1985.  They built a life together full of love, fun and had many wonderful adventures, including traveling to many interesting destinations. They moved from San Diego to Fort Worth, TX in 1987 and then to Santa Barbara in 2002, following career opportunities. However, they both wholeheartedly agreed that their best and most rewarding adventure was raising their beloved children, Lauren and Michael.

Ray was an avid cyclist and hiker, clocking in hundreds of miles over the years. Snow skiing was one of his favorite pastimes and he skied most of the western U.S. ski resorts with Mammoth Mountain remaining his top favorite. He enjoyed playing golf with his friends and father-in-law, Keith. He loved being in the water whether he was body surfing, snorkeling or driving his Cobalt 252, listening to music and towing a tube full of kids. Family was Ray’s number one priority and greatest joy. He cherished his times with his children whether he was driving them around town, going on a bike ride or hanging out on a beach in Hawaii. Ray went to every swim meet, sports game, talent show, carnival and school event to support and encourage his children. He fondly spent time helping with homework, teaching Lauren how to drive and Michael how to fish. He loved every minute of it.  Ray was also an amazing grill master and cook. He was especially known for his BBQ Ribs and his amazing Eggplant Parmigiana. Ray loved spending time with his brother Fred, having long conversations, discussing wines and drinking grappa.

Ray graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington with a BA in Business Economics. He had over 30 years experience in the Real Estate / Mortgage Finance Industry. He began his career at National Flood Information Services as a founding Partner and then became President. Ray held many Senior Executive C.O.O. and Managing Director positions in the Mortgage Information and Services Division for Chicago Title, Fidelity National Financial, Fidelity Information Services, and Lender Processing Services.  Ray was an innovator in his field, helping modernize operations and creating new products. He had a keen business eye for streamlining operations and maintaining high margins. He was a mentor to many.  In the last few years, Ray was a partner in several business ventures and worked as a consultant.

Above all his accomplishments, the role of “Dad”, was most important to Ray. He loved his children, Lauren and Michael, with every ounce of his being. As he faced his last day on this earth, he shared this wisdom with his children and family:

“The secret to life is Love. Love of God. Love of Family. If you have these two things, everything else will fall into place. What doesn’t, throw away.

Enjoy your life. Have fun.”

Ray is survived by his wife of 38 years, Kim Ferrarin; his children, Lauren Ferrarin, and Michael Ferrarin; his brother, Fred Ferrarin and wife Diana; his brother Marc DeBoni and wife Yevgeniya; his brother John DeBoni; his sister Catherine DeBoni; his brother-in-law, Timothy Gardner and wife, Lisa; his mother-in-law, Barbara Gardner; nephews Christopher Ferrarin, Mitchell Gardner, Benjamin DeBoni, and Giovanni DeBoni; nieces Silvana Ferrarin, Gianna Ferrarin, and Vanessa Gardner. He was preceded in death by his father, Adelico Giovanni Ferrarin, mother Martha Marie Agnes DeBoni, step-mother Wilma Gherce Ferrarin, and his father-in-law, Keith Warren Gardner.

A service will be held Thursday, November 2, 11am, at Montecito Convenant Church, 671 Cold Spring Rd, Montecito, CA 93108.  All are welcome.  Private family burial will follow.

Donations in Ray’s honor can be made to: VNA Health, online at vna.health or Hirschberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, online at pancreatic.org