MARIELLA, Raymond P. (Dr.)

The Arizona Republic 3/29/2010 Dr. Raymond P. Mariella, Sr. 90, passed away on March 17. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Miriam Mariella, his daughters, Miriam Kaiser, Dr. Anne Mariella, and Dr. Patricia Mariella, and his son Dr. Raymond Mariella, Jr. as well as his grandchildren, Brett Lynch and his wife Maria Galvin, J.R. Pribula, Margaret Mariella, Stefan Pribula and Holly Mariella. Ray Mariella was born on September 5, 1919, in Philadelphia, and attended the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a degree in chemistry. He went on to earn a Doctorate in 1945 at Carnegie Institute of Technology where he helped develop synthetic rubber, critical to winning World War II. In Pittsburgh, he met and married the love of his life, Miriam McMahon, and then joined Loyola University in Chicago as chair of the Chemistry Department. He hosted "Fun with Chemistry' on WTTW-TV in Chicago and, later, a weekly series on CBS called "Science Unlimited". Ray was promoted to Dean of the Graduate Schools of Loyola University, was a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and served as Science Advisor to the Governor of Illinois. In 1978 he became Executive Director of the American Chemical Society until he retired in 1984. Dr. Mariella taught chemistry for several summers to disadvantaged youth in New Mexico and came to love the Southwest. After retiring, he and Miriam moved to Sun City West and Ray pursued his lifelong interest in stamps. He served as President of the Sun City West Coin and Stamp Club, the Arizona Federation of Stamp Clubs and was elected a trustee of the Postal History Foundation. In 2006 he became a member of the Arizona State Philatelic Hall of Fame. Funeral arrangements are by Best Funeral Services. Donations may be made in his name to Hospice of the Valley.