Ray, 77, died on Jan. 20, 2026 of heart related complications. He was born in Syracuse’s Valley section, spent years working in local and state politics and enjoyed restoring antique cars and furniture. 

He was born on Oct. 28, 1948, and grew up on Fiscoe Avenue, a street developed by his grandfather Joseph P. Fiscoe, and cherished his later years in his beloved house on Oneida Lake. 

Raymond, nicknamed Ray Simms, was a major political advocate and figure in the city of Syracuse and the state of New York for over 40 years. He took great pride in serving as chief of staff for state Sen. Nancy Larraine Hoffmann, spearheading the campaign for Mayor Matt Driscoll and especially serving as mayoral executive to Mayor Lee Alexander. Following his political career, he was a top executive for All Seasons Services, which was later acquired by Next Generation Vending company, where he became vice president. He retired, then worked full time as a consultant for RSA Management Group, overseeing vending accounts for the Boeing Co. and other major institutions up until the day he passed.

With a vast knowledge of and fascination with antique cars, Ray collected many classics over the years that he was thrilled to meticulously restore and enjoy. He also was second to none in restoration of antique furniture and chrome. Many sought him out to bring their pieces not just back to their original condition, but better.

Everyone who knew him knew the greatest joy in his life and the apple of his eye was his daughter, Jacqueline. No matter how many birthdays were celebrated, Jacki  was and always will be his little girl. He took immense pride in being her father, which he considered his biggest and most important job.

He was lucky enough to fall in love and be loved by his longtime partner, Heidi Williams, for over 15 years. Together they would travel all over Upstate New York, being "professional eaters" and driving fast in his Jaguars, but Heidi was "the best driver" and had to drive. 

In recent years, he looked forward to lunches and dinners with close friends he met from grammar school all the way through college. 

As his daughter noted, “A write-up could never cover the life of my father, Ray Simcuski. Countless stories, memories, accomplishments and achievements would simply take an eternity to convey. He was a force, a presence, an entity. Standing 6’6 with a size 15 shoe, his stature was perfectly suited to his personality.  There was no one else, and there will never be anyone else, like him. He always said he was “a legend in his own mind”, but he became a legend reality. He will be truly, dearly and greatly missed.” 

Former Syracuse Mayor Matt Driscoll said, "Like countless others, I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend Ray Simcuski. Words cannot express the sorrow I feel. Ray was not only a friend, but a mentor throughout my many years of public service, always behind me and supportive with advice and counsel. Ray possessed tremendous institutional knowledge of our city, region and state, and no one was better at crunching numbers and shaping political strategies than Ray Simcuski. When Ray walked into a room, people took notice, he had an air of ease and confidence along with a tremendous sense of humor. His family will miss his love as a father and brother, I will miss his insight and perspective, but most of all I will miss his friendship."

Ray was predeceased by his parents, Raymond E. and Lucretia (Fiscoe) Simcuski.

He is survived by Heidi Williams, the love of his life; beloved daughter, Jacqueline Simcuski; sisters Margie and Mary Lou Simcuski, who both who reside in The Villages in Florida; Jacqueline's mother, Jennifer Brown, and several cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children Hospital.Click to Donate