Ramon Saba George Milkie, Sr.

Age 92, had a full and wonderful life. He was born in Buffalo, NY to his immigrant parents, the late Abdula and Jamilie Milkie and grew up with his younger sister, the late Elaine Jarocki and brother, the late Mike Milkie. When his father died, he was only 12 and took a part-time job before and after school to help support his family. He graduated from Hutchinson Technical High School and enrolled in the Air Force Academy.

Upon his return home, he got a job at Bell Aerospace, where he was one of the men who worked on the Agena II rocket engine. He attended a semester at UB and married his wife of 66 years, Vita Maggiotto. Together they had 4 children, Michele (Joseph) Fortuna, Ramon, Jr. (Reva Wolski), John (Christine) and Suzanne Fortushniok; 9 grandchildren, Danielle, Joey, Deanna (Steve), Angelina, Josh, Anthony (Janessa), Dominic, Vita, Elena and 7 great-grandchildren, Santino, Gionni, Lucas, Jessie, Marquise, Silvio and Gino.

Ray was an entrepreneur and opened seven restaurants with his brother, The Villa Romano, The Forum Lounge, The Big Dipper, The Little Dipper, The Blue Galaxy, The Falling Star and The Milkie Way. When he left the restaurant business, he received his real estate license but left that business to start a company called MVR Equipment. He was a former President of the Engineering Society. He was also an active supporter and fundraiser for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Ray was a man of patience, wisdom and love and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Leo the Great Church, 885 Sweet Home Rd., Amherst on Thursday, March 6 at 10:30am (please assemble at church). Inurnment Mt. Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Condolences may be made on this page.