A number of people have played important, deep roles in my life. However, none of them played a more unique role than my great-grandfather Raymond Berkley. He loved me and the rest of the family unconditionally and was willing to do anything for us. However, this is not his most noticeable legacy. Raymond was a unique individual who lived perhaps the most exciting life of any person I have ever known. He was intelligent and incredibly street smart. He also was skilled when it came to getting his way. From an involvement with the Italian mafia to being filled with the Holy Spirit, my grandfather lived a life that came full circle. He proves that, no matter what bad things one does in his or her life, it is impossible to outrun the forgiving grace of God.
Raymond J. Berkley was born in February 1923 in Cleveland Ohio, where he spent his childhood. His mother’s name was Rosemary. She was born and raised
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He knew of Jesus Christ existence, having attended church regularly. Despite his less than savory lifestyle, he did believe Jesus Christ was the Son of God. He also acknowledged that he had lived a life of great sin and rebellion. He feared that his destiny laid on the broad path that leads to destruction instead of the narrow path to life. One night, he expressed this fear to my parents and his wife. They conversed for over an hour about the loving and forgiving nature of Christ. This ended with everyone in the room praying for him. He began to cry, and the Holy Spirit fell upon him. Raymond began to speak in tongues as the Spirit filled him. This brought him great peace, as it provided assurance that he was saved and that he would go to Heaven after his death. This moment of Spiritual refreshment was made even powerful because this was his last night on earth. The following morning, he conversed with his wife one last time. Five minutes later, on June 8, 2010, Raymond J. Berkley passed