Guy Larry Rail

Guy Larry Rail, age 84, of Elgin, IL, passed away on March 12, 2023. He was born November 28, 1938 in Forest Park, IL to his loving parents, Raymond and Miriam (née Chiaraballoti) Rail.

Guy played football for and graduated from high school, then attended junior college for two years. He joined the United States Army in 1963, serving honorably for four years active duty, and two years non-active duty.

Guy worked for many years as a screener for Motorola, and at E&J Enamelers and Japaners.

Guy met his wife Arlene at Motorola, where she worked in the cafeteria and served coffee and sweet rolls to the workers. They were married on September 21, 1968 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Chicago, then drove all the way to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon. They were married for 54 years and raised three children.

Guy was very hardworking, and did everything he could to support his family. He had a short temper and loved to swear! He could be impatient as he just couldn’t ever sit still. And while he wasn’t driving a taxi, he drove aggressively like a cab driver.

Guy had a dark, silly sense of humor, and enjoyed telling corny jokes. He was a chess champion, and was in the chess club at Motorola, where he even won a trophy. He enjoyed teaching and playing chess with his son James; building things with his daughter Nancy as his personal helper; and surprising the children with new puppies. He liked fishing at Echo Lake, taking his wife with him though she wasn’t a big fan of the actual fishing. He loved going to garage sales, as well as to the Swap-O-Rama flea market on an occasional Sunday. He also enjoyed working in the garden.

Guy liked to watch television; “Married with Children” was a particular favorite. He also watched a lot of news shows such as CNN and MSNBC. He liked listening to Mariah Carey’s music, and enjoyed watching comedies, old black-and-white movies, and horror movies (he was a big fan of Jamie Lee Curtis). He was also a devoted Cubs and Bears fan. And he loved candy, dark chocolate, beef jerky, nuts, and beer.

Guy was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Arlene Ann Rail; children, James Raymond, Nancy Carol, and Karen Ann; brother, Robert Rail; granddaughter, Gia Rose; niece, Kathy; and nephews, Christopher, Randy, and Ricky.

Visitation will be 11:00am until funeral service at 1:00pm, Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park Street, Elgin, IL 60120. Fr. Chris Kuhn will be officiating.

Interment with military honors to follow at Bluff City Cemetery, 945 Bluff City Boulevard, Elgin, IL 60120.

Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-741-1128.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Guy Larry Rail, please visit our floral store.