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Certificate of Achievement awarded to Mr. Raymond Jarusinski for his 54 years of creating polka music and for his induction into the International Polka Association Hall of Fame.
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This Certificate of Achievement is awarded to Mr. Raymond "Ray Jay" Jarusinski, a native of Glassport, Pennsylvania, for his 54 years of creating exceptional polka music. Mr. Jarusinski was born on November 3, 1945 to John and Blanch Jarusinski; he was the youngest of three boys. His grandmother, Laura, was instrumental in teaching him the proper diction and pronunciation of the Polish language and music. Mr. Jarusinski formed his first polka band called the Polkats in 1961 and recorded his first 45 rpm demo "In My Garden" polka. In 1969, Mr. Jarusinski was drafted into the Army where he served in Vietnam as a sergeant in the food service supply division. Upon his return, Mr. Jarusinski started practicing and singing with fellow musicians Ted Gibala, Walt and Bobby Shutty, Stanley and Edward Ogrodny, and in 1971, formed the band Ray Jay & the Carousels. Ray Jay & the Carousels have performed throughout the United States. Mr. Jarusinski has received awards from the Pennsylvania Polka Association, The Polish Ambassadors, The Polish Crusaders and the Polka Power Club of Western Pennsylvania. In 2008, Mr. Jarusinski was inducted into the International Polka Association Hall of Fame. Mr. Jarusinski has made nine polka albums and it has been his distinctive and unique singing voice along with his great dancing beat that has set him apart from many other polka orchestras. Mr. Jarusinski resides in Port Vue, Pennsylvania, with his loving wife of 31 years, MaryAnn. The couple has two children, Natalie and Anthony. We congratulate Mr. Jarusinski on his lifetime of achievement in the music industry, and we thank him for bringing the joy of polka music to countless people throughout Allegheny County, our nation and the world.