Raymond Joseph Lustig Jr. (May 6, 1947 – April 21, 2026)

Born and raised in Woodside, NY, son of New York City Fire Chief Raymond J. Lustig and homemaker Alice, née Gillen, Ray’s early academic and social skills launched him on a brilliant military career that began at the age of thirteen at Xavier High School, an institution that remained dear to him throughout his life.

He began his Air Force intelligence years in Fordham University’s ROTC program. He studied Japanese and earned his masters in Far East Studies at Columbia University School of International Public Affairs. He married Regina Gurzynski, they traveled the world together with the Air Force, had four children—Alice, Raymond, Richard, and John—and they remained married until his passing.

After four years in Japan and two in Virginia, Ray left active Air Force duty to pursue a law career starting at NYU Law School, then Donovan Leisure, C. Itoh, Nomura Securities, the MTA, and Lehman Brothers.

He remained in the Air Force as reserve attache to the U.S. Embassy in Japan. He received a citation from the Legion of Merit noting that his “planning and oversight for aviation and security aspects of two visits of the President of the United States to Japan and numerous visits of senior United States military delegations to Japan and China ensured the success of these delegations and furthered the mission of both Defense Attache Offices and United States Embassies,” and accompanied President Bill Clinton on Air Force One. He was commended for his “immeasurable contributions to the diplomatic and military reporting requirements of the Defense Attache Office with his diplomacy, Japanese language skills and in-depth knowledge of the peoples and cultures of East Asia.” Highly decorated, he retired from the Air Force in 1998 at the rank of Colonel, capping off a distinguished thirty years of service.

Still not done however, he continued as a member of the 106th Air Guard Group in Westhampton, NY, and volunteered as U.S. Air Force Academy liaison officer, mentoring academically talented young people on military service careers. He continued to offer pro bono legal help to several veterans’ charities, including the Fighting 69th and the Soldiers and Sailors Club.

Working much of his law career at the World Trade Center, Ray narrowly survived both the 1993 bombing and the Sept 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Living in Douglaston Queens, he and Regina realized their dream of having a second home in their favorite seaside town, Hampton Bays, where they enjoyed many years of hosting gatherings of friends and family.

Ray was known for his sharp mind, his broad and deep knowledge of history, his remarkable skill with languages, his wanderlust, his humor, his ping-pong and squash skills, his bodysurfing, his love of oysters, and his theatrical flair.

Both actors, Ray and Regina got involved with community theater wherever they went in the world—from high school and college drama, to the Tokyo Amateur Dramatic Players, to the Douglaston Community Theater, and then on to the Amateur Comedy Club and Snarks in New York, where Ray remained active as long as his health would allow. Both Ray and Regina appeared in countless plays and musicals, often sharing the stage. Their theater life brought them rich experiences and wonderful friendships around the world, and is a joy they have passed on to their children and granddaughter.

Ray passed away after a lengthy illness. In his final months, he received dedicated and compassionate care at the Saint Alban’s New York State Veterans Home. He leaves behind his wife of 59 years Regina; his four children, Alice, Raymond III, Richard, and John; his son-in-law John Williams; daughter-in-law Ana Berlin; and granddaughter Eva Berlin-Lustig.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a memorial donation to Xavier High School, for which Ray was always a proud fundraiser.

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