Raymond A. Daminger Sr.'s Obituary
Raymond Albert Daminger, Sr., age 77 of Milton, DE, passed away peacefully at home on December 15, 2018. He fought a valiant battle with both lung cancer and Parkinson’s Disease. He was born on September 16, 1941 in Woodbury, NJ, son of the late George John Daminger and Alice Mae (Barrett) Daminger of Barnsboro, NJ.
Ray grew up in Barnsboro, NJ and graduated from Pitman High School in 1959 and from Glassboro State College (Rowan University) in 1965. Ray taught Social Studies at C.W. Lewis Middle School in Blackwood, NJ for 18 years and was co-owner of Daminger’s Natural Pet Foods in Barnsboro, NJ from 1983 to 2005.
Ray found joy in community service, and he served on the Mantua Township Committee from 1970 to 1985. He was mayor of Mantua Township, NJ from 1971 to 1975 and again in 1983. Raymond also served on the Clearview Regional Board of Education as a member and then president from 1991 to 1996. He served on the Gloucester County Utilities Authority for 18 years, representing the interests of Mantua Township zealously.
He was a huge advocate of education and always encouraged his children and grandchildren to excel scholastically and live with integrity. Ray enjoyed spending time with his family, watching the Eagles & the Phillies, reading, the shore, oldies music, hamburgers, and his dogs. Ray loved traveling throughout the US and the world with Roz, and she would like to share a verse from their special song by Anne Murray:
“Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?
Would you be my partner every night?
When we’re together it feels so right
Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?”
In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his daughter, Shelley Kessler; and his sister, Wilhelmina Daminger. He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Rosalind Anne (Mirabella) Daminger; his children: Tracy (Brian) Ridd of Midway, UT, Melissa (Mike) Porrovicchio of Delta, PA, and Raymond, Jr. (Jodie) of Milton, DE; his grandchildren: Parker, Mitchell, Lukas, and Hayden Ridd, Olivia and Max Porrovicchio, Carlos Kessler, and Owen and Dalen Daminger, all of whom he was immensely proud; his brother, George (Joan) Daminger of Pitman, NJ; his sister, Elizabeth (Bob) Bedi of Pottstown, PA; and his many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, family members, and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Ray’s memory to the Beebe Healthcare Medical Foundation, in care of the Tunnell Cancer Center: Beebe Medical Foundation, ATTN: Tunnell Cancer Center:“Raymond A. Daminger, Sr.”, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, Delaware 19958, or www.beebemedicalfoundation.org/memorials/daminger/.
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