Raymond "Ray" Timothy Daly

Raymond Timothy Daly, 71, of Lisle, Illinois and Daniel Island, South Carolina, passed away on Sunday, June 1, 2025.

Born on November 10, 1953, in Chicago, IL, Ray was the son of the late Nancy Schneider (Cunliffe) and Robert Daly.

Ray was known for his generosity, loyalty, and warmth — qualities that left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Friends and family describe him as someone who eagerly stepped in to help others, brought joy to everyday moments, and remained a steady presence through decades of shared adventures and milestones. He always had a positive attitude and a smile on his face. Even in the face of health challenges, he endured without complaint. Ray was a funny, lively spirit who loved to have a good time and made sure those around him did too. He was deeply proud of his family and lit up whenever he spoke about Cam and their children. His ability to make others feel welcomed and valued was truly special, and his presence will be deeply missed.

Ray built a successful career in finance, holding leadership roles at major institutions including Continental Bank (Bank of America), IBM, and the FDIC, and was known for his expertise in lending and business development. He served as treasurer of both ACG Chicago and Haiti Scholars, Inc., reflecting his commitment to service. He earned his MBA in Finance from IIT’s Stuart School of Business (Class of 1984), where he served as President of the Student Alumni Association, and held a BS in Accounting from DePaul University (Class of 1976). Ray was likely one of the few clients with a direct line to his financial pros — a perk they may have soon regretted, but one that made him the beloved go-to “finance guy” for family and friends.

Ray’s passions were as wide-ranging as his generosity. He loved golf, boating, pickleball, biking, fishing, tennis, travel, and time with loved ones — always planning the perfect itinerary or finding the best seat in a restaurant. He had a knack for networking and was always connecting people together, whether to help a business contact or introduce friends. He enjoyed recent trips to Germany and Costa Rica. A lifelong Chicagoan, Ray adored the city’s history and enthusiastically recommended the architectural boat tour to visitors and could always spot Chicago in movie scenes.

Above all, Ray loved his family. He never missed a chance to show Cam how much he loved her, and he took pride in building a life and raising their family together in Chicago. Later, the two found peace and serenity in their second home in Charleston, where they enjoyed biking, discovering local festivals and restaurants, and exploring the beauty of the area side by side. He and his son Bobby shared a special bond over baseball, with a goal to visit all the MLB stadiums together — they made it to 19. Though he won’t finish the list, Ray will surely be an angel in the stands, flagging down his befriended beer guy for a brat and a Bud. On the other hand, he often had to remind Kaitlyn that Duke basketball even existed. But he was always by her side — cheering her on through gymnastics, her PhD, and now her new business venture, for which he gave her a MasterClass in business foundations. He reveled in his role as “Pops” to his granddaughter Grace, sharing sticky buns, belly laughs, and joyful adventures at aquariums, splash pads, and on boat rides — delighting in their shared love for water and making others happy. Time with Grace reminded him of what truly mattered in life: connection, laughter, and making everyday moments count.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Camilla Daly; his children, Bobby Daly and Kaitlyn Daly; daughter-in-law, Allison Daly; and granddaughter, Grace Daly. He was also joyfully anticipating the arrival of Bobby and Allison’s baby boy this July. He was also a loving brother to Keith, Greg, Jan, and Nancy, and a proud uncle to his nieces (Jennifer, Patty, LeeAnn, Bonnie, and Kimberly) and nephews (Michael, Jeremy, and Will) and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Daly and Nancy Schneider.

The family will first receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 pm on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464.

They will later receive friends from 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, 44 S Mill St, Naperville, IL 60540.

A service to celebrate Ray’s life will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 14, 2025, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 815 S Washington St, Naperville, IL 60540.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, and Haiti Scholars, Inc in memory of Raymond "Ray" Timothy Daly.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Mount Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, 843-884-3833.