Rafael "Ray" Gabaldon, age 49, late of Phoenix, IL, formerly of Hammond. Beloved father of Sarah Garcia, Ronald (Amber) Chavez, Katelyn Chavez, Raymond Gabaldon, Kiersten Rodriguez, and the late Nicholas Gabaldon; loving grandfather of 11; devoted son of Rafael and Mary (née Hamilton); dear brother of Elvia Mendoza, Lisa Gabaldon Womack, Alfredo Hamilton, and Theresa Kesler; kind uncle, cousin, and friend of many. Rafael was a supervisor for Modern Drop Forge with over 20 years of dedicated service. He was a devoted Chicago sports fan (except the White Sox... sorry Sox fans). Rafael had a passion for trades and people, and was always helping with the family carpentry business. He was a skilled mechanic who loved his Harley-Davidson Fat Boys, and dreamed of building a 1969 Pontiac LeMans GTO. Visitation Wednesday, from 4 - 7 p.m. Funeral Service Thursday, 10:00 a.m. at Thornridge Funeral Home (Janusz Family Funeral Service), 15801 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Dolton / South Holland. Interment Oakland Memory Lanes.