Ray Goss, 89, of Indiana, passed away Tuesday, April 28, at Indiana Regional Medical Center in Indiana.
He was born Jan. 6, 1937, in Carnegie, to Mary and Felix Goscinski.
Ray is survived by his seven children: Christine Brownlee (Rob), Lisa Rocco (Vincent), David Goss, Thomas Goss (Patricia), Julie Fleming (Jeff), Jason Goss (Jodi) and Amy Kugler (Geoff); his 17 grandchildren: Eric Brownlee (Paige), Natalie Brownlee, Giacomo “Jack” Rocco, Maximus Rocco, Charlie Goss, Teddy Goss, Brittany Boatman, Angelina Goss, Tommy Goss, Justin Fleming (Stephanie), Jared Fleming (Julia), Jade Lehman (Morgan), Jason Fleming, Zachary Tomberg, Zoe Tomberg, Ayla Kugler and Laken Kugler; his four great-grandchildren: Ella, Jocelyn, Teagan and Skylar; his sister, Felicia Ragazzo (Tony); and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Dorothy “Dee” Goss, whom he married Oct. 1, 1960, and who passed away March 17, 2011.
Ray was a 1958 graduate of Duquesne University, where he fueled his passion for sports and broadcasting. He began his radio career as a student in the late 1950s and went on to become a respected figure in western Pennsylvania sports media.
He was the beloved longtime radio voice of Duquesne Dukes men’s basketball beginning in 1968, serving as a steady presence through both challenging and successful seasons. Over the course of 58 seasons behind the microphone, he became a Pittsburgh institution.
In addition to Duquesne basketball, Ray broadcast IUP sports, local high school athletics and Indiana County Fair events. He served as general manager of radio station WDAD in Indiana from 1966 to 1981. In 1983, he co-founded radio station WCCS in Homer City with Mark Harley. He was also a member of the Indiana County Fair Board Association.
Ray received numerous accolades throughout his distinguished career, including induction into the Indiana County Sports Hall of Fame in May 1980; the Duquesne University Sports Hall of Fame in February 1994; the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in May 2012; and the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2023. Most recently, he received the Woody Durham Voice of College Sports Award, earned the Radio Award from the Media Association of Pittsburgh and was honored as the “Enduring Voice of Duquesne Basketball” at the Chuck Cooper Centennial Gala.
Away from the microphone, Ray generously gave his time volunteering with the United Way of Indiana County and the Concordia IRMC VNA Hospice program, and he coached the Indiana High School girls tennis team.
Nothing was more important to Ray than his family. He reveled in large gatherings and took great pride in his grandchildren’s activities.
Ray will be remembered for his warmth, his unmistakable voice, his smile and his deep devotion to his family and to Duquesne basketball. He will be missed by all.
Memorial donations may be made to Concordia-IRMC VNA, Medical Arts Building, Suite 3000, 850 Hospital Road, Indiana, PA 15701.
Friends and family are invited to join Ray’s family in a Celebration of Life from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex, 711 Pratt Drive, Indiana, PA 15705.
