Raymond E. Lamendola

Raymond E. Lamendola, age 86 years, of Tewksbury Township, NJ died Thursday, May 18, 2023, in the home he built for his family in the early 1970’s.

Born June 6, 1936, in Trenton, NJ, he was the son of the late Emanuel and Marie (Weibel) Lamendola. He was a lifelong Hunterdon County, NJ resident.

Ray had many passions, but his primary interest, outside of his family, was aviation. In fact, he earned his pilot’s license before his driver’s license. He used a portion of his grandfather’s farm as a runway.

He was a good athlete, and in his youth played baseball in high school and later for the American Legion team.

After high school, Ray served honorably in the United States Army from 1955-1958. While in the service, he learned helicopter maintenance and became a helicopter maintenance instructor, which he enjoyed immensely.

Ray had many vocations before arriving at his true calling in working for American Airlines at the Newark, NJ airport. He spent time as a farmer, a machinist, and a carpenter. But it was in working for the airline industry that he spent the majority of his career. He was fortunate to begin his career with American Airlines as a gate agent and work his way up into management swiftly.

He was both manager of operations and manager of customer relations, but it was the latter where his natural charm made it obvious that he had found a true calling in blending his love of aviation with his love of people and conversation. A gregarious person, Ray naturally enjoyed speaking with people, hearing their stories, and telling his own as well.

Ray’s other hobbies included water skiing and boating on the Delaware River. In addition, he loved traveling with his wife, Edna, and son, Joel. Ray and his family were frequent visitors to Palm Springs, CA, Europe, St. Croix, and other parts of the world largely thanks to his chosen profession.

In addition to his parents, Ray was predeceased by his wife, Edna C. Lamendola, as well as his brother, Dennis. He is survived by his loving son, Joel and his wife, Kirsten, and his grandson, Bergen.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023, from 9-10 AM in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Funeral services, officiated by Rev. Christopher Small, will follow at 10 AM in the funeral home. Proud of his military service, burial with military honors will take place at St. Magdalen Cemetery, North Main Street, Flemington, NJ at 11 AM.

For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit his Tribute Wall at www.holcombefisher.com.