Raymond Thomas Black

Raymond T. Black, 91, died peacefully on December 26, 2020.

Born in Jersey City, NJ in 1929.  After serving in the Occupation Forces in Japan at the end of World War II and then in Korea in the Second Division in a combat role he returned home and continued to serve, attaining NCO rank. He graduated from Fairleigh Dickenson University in the mid 1960’s and had a 22-year career with Public Service Electric and Gas in Newark, NJ, until his retirement in 1994.

Ray was married for 48 years to his loving wife Gloria and they lived and raised their family in Wood-Ridge, NJ, before retiring to Whiting, NJ. Gloria passed away in 2004.

He married Carol Matuck in 2010 and moved to South Carolina. Ray was a devoted and loving husband, and they spent 15 years together sharing a common passion for travel and exploring the world together.

He had a special love for vacationing in Cape Cod, where he spent time while in the Service followed by many summer vacations. He was a devout Catholic and was involved in his local community in Wood-Ridge. He cherished the company of family and friends and his outgoing nature made these gatherings memorable.

He is survived by his wife Carol, his three sons, Daniel (wife, Kathy), Christopher, Michael (wife, Stephanie) and four grandchildren, Timothy, Tracy, Stephen and Justin as well as four Stepchildren Michelle Gates (husband, Rick), Tammy Jontz (husband, Dave), Mark Matuck (wife, Linda), Amy Bell (husband, John) and nine step grandchildren Zachary, Nick, Mackenzie, Garrett, Noah, Thatcher, Isabella, Luca, and Eliana.  Hi is also survived by his nephew, Joseph Black of Rockaway, NJ.

He is predeceased by his parents, Charles Black and Elizabeth Goodall, stepfather Henry Scott, his brothers, Joseph Black of Jersey City (who passed at a very young age) and Francis Black of Denville, NJ.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, April 9, 2021 at Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church, Bluffton.  Livestreaming of the service will be provided by Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church on their website.   In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.