READFIELD - Raymond E. Lemek, 71, passed away at home peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2005, with his wife, Mary, by his side after a courageous battle with a long illness. He was born on June 28, 1934, in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of Frank and Loretta (Micek) Lemek. Ray graduated from Heelan Catholic High School in Sioux City in 1952. He attended the University of Notre Dame on a full scholarship, where he played football. He was captain of the 1955-56 team. He graduated in 1956 with a bachelor's degree in business. Mr. Lemek was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1956 but took a year off to strengthen his knee, which he had injured during the USC game in 1954. During his rehabilitation, he married his high-school sweetheart, Mary Rohwer, at the Log Chapel on the campus of Notre Dame. In 1957, Ray began his professional career with the Washington Redskins and continued with them for five seasons, including a Pro Bowl appearance in 1961. Ray was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1962. He played with the Steelers four seasons and retired from football in 1966. The Lemeks moved to the Boston area, where Ray worked as a salesman for the 3M Company. During their time in Massachusetts, Ray and Mary became parents to two daughters, Caroline and Margaret. In 1976, Ray and his family relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was vice president of sales for steel-hauling companies for many years. Ray and Mary retired to Readfield in 1997 and built a home on Torsey Pond. Mr. Lemek is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary; his daughters, Caroline Leuteneger and her husband, Deron, and Margaret Lemek and her fiance, Sam Loparo; a grandson, Collin, 'the little guy,' all from Cleveland; a sister, Bernadine Kull and her husband, Walter, of Sioux City; along with several nieces and nephews. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Winthrop, with the Rev. Brian Blanchette as the celebrant. Interment will be at a later date in Holy Cross Cemetery, Notre Dame. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ray's memory to the Ray Lemek Notre Dame Memorial Fund, c/o Kennebec Savings Bank, Main Street, Winthrop 04364; or to the charity of your choice. Ray's family expresses sincere thanks for the support they received, especially for the services of the MaineGeneral Health System (Seton Rehabilitation, Augusta branch, Thayer Unit, HealthReach and Hospice) and dear friends who made it possible for Ray to enjoy the last six years of his life in a place he loved. Arrangements are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop