As I make my way back to Syracuse this week, my heart is heavy.
I’m traveling home to say goodbye to a man who was so much more than my boxing coach. Ray Rinaldi was my mentor, my second father, my biggest supporter, and one of the greatest influences in my life.
When I walked into Ray’s gym as a young teenager, I thought I was learning how to box. What I was really learning was how to live. Ray taught me discipline, respect, perseverance, and the value of believing in yourself when nobody else did. He saw potential in me long before I ever saw it in myself.
For more than 50 years, Ray was a constant presence in my life. Through victories and defeats, successes and struggles, he was always there with wisdom, encouragement, and sometimes the tough love I needed to hear.
The older I get, the more I realize that life is not measured by the trophies we win or the accomplishments we achieve. It’s measured by the people who help shape our journey. Ray was one of those rare people.
Tomorrow, family and friends will gather to celebrate a life that touched so many others. While my heart aches knowing he’s gone, I am forever grateful that God allowed our paths to cross.
Thank you, Ray, for believing in a kid from Syracuse. Thank you for helping me become the man I am today.
I will miss you deeply, but your lessons, your love, and your legacy will live on through all of us whose lives you changed.
Rest in peace, Coach. I love you. ❤️🙏🥊
#RayRinaldi #Mentor #Coach #Friend #Syracuse #ForeverGrateful #RestInPeace #LegacyLivesOn
A Funeral Mass in celebration of Ray’s life will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church, 10 W. Austin St., Skaneateles, NY. He will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum.
私たちの物語は、今日の試合で最終章。
試合が終わった瞬間、いろんな感情で胸がいっぱいになりました。
ASUKAさんと出会えたこと、
同じ時間を過ごせたこと、
近くでたくさんのことを学べたこと
私にとってかけがえのない宝物です。
Thank you so much ASUKA-San
We love you ASUKA-San❣️
#WWEBACKLASH
Even while on our honeymoon, there is no greater joy than knowing I was able to make a difference in this young man’s life. Here’s a message I just received.
Wishing you and your family continued blessings, and thank you again from the bottom of my heart for sharing this with me. ❤️
There aren’t many constants in life, but one of the greatest blessings I’ve ever had is my mentor and boxing coach, Ray Rinaldi. I met Ray at the gym when I was just 16 and he was 47. Today, I’m 65 and he’s 96 and he’s still the same incredible man who shaped my life.
Ray didn’t just teach me how to box, he taught me how to live. He’s impacted and saved countless young lives, just like he did mine. I’ve always hoped to be even half the man he is, and everything I’ve done has been with the goal of making him proud.
I love this man with all my heart. Thank you, Ray.
🍝 NEW EPISODE 🍝
Two Broads One Fork
We made the everything bagel pasta!
Delish or disgusting?
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