Businessman Ray Lassinger died early Monday morning after a hospitalization following an illness.

Lassinger, 80, was president of Associated Ceramics and Technology in Sarver, which he established as the family business in 1966.

Family, friends and employees are among the many who will miss Lassinger — described by many as family and business oriented, according to his daughter Patti-Ann Kanterman, chief finance officer of Associated Ceramics.

Lassinger is proceeded in death by his wife Peggy Lassinger, who died in 2016. The couple married Feb. 15, 1958 and raised their family in Saxonburg. Surviving are six children, Terry Lassinger of Texas; Jeffrey Lassinger of Saxonburg; Kimberly “Suze” Boros of Saxonburg; Kanterman of Butler; Ray Lassinger of Butler; and Renee Lassinger of Indiana.

Daughter Kimberly Boros said one of her father's favorite roles was being a grandfather to his 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

The family business currently has 46 employees and manufactures and supplies technical ceramic materials and components to be used across various industries for heat and electrical insulation, wear-resistance, chemical and industrial applications.

“He never let anything hold him back,” Kanterman said of her dad.

Funeral arrangements are being decided by the family.

The Eagle is working on a larger story honoring Ray's life that will appear in Wednesday's edition.