Raymond John Vanden Berghe, Sr.

Raymond John Vanden Berghe, Sr., of Sergeantsville, NJ, passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2020 at Country Arch Care Center, Pittstown, NJ. He was 88.

Born in Paterson, NJ on June 28, 1932, Ray was the son of the late Emeric and Elizabeth Kuyper Vanden Berghe. He grew up in Totowa Borough, and graduated from Passaic Valley High School in 1949. Ray received his B.S. in Business Education from Paterson State Teachers’ College (now William Paterson University) in 1953. He also earned a M.A. degree from Central Michigan University in 1978.

On June 14, 1958, he married Patricia Black, a beautiful nurse he had met at Hunterdon Medical Center while guarding a patient. Together, they raised their three children in Sergeantsville, where Ray, family members and friends built their family home.

Upon completion of his undergraduate studies, Ray served in the United States Marine Corps. He joined The New Jersey State Police and retired in 1987 after 31 years of service. He held professional memberships in the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners, Harvard Associates in Police Science, and FBI National Associates.

Ray believed in a life of service to God and neighbor. He was a life member of the Sergeantsville Volunteer Fire Company, and a 50-year member of Sergeantsville United Methodist Church.

Ray volunteered as a Blue and Gold Officer for the United States Naval Academy and served on service academy selection committees for several Senators and Congressmen. He also served as a Trustee of the Phillips-Barber Memorial Hospital Trust for more than a decade.

He dedicated a great deal of time and energy to Boy Scouting. While Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 124, Stockton NJ, more than 40 young men achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Ray worked on many boards and committees and traveled extensively as a Scouter, leading eight contingents to Philmont Scout Ranch and serving on the staff of five World Jamborees. He was honored as a Distinguished Eagle Scout in 2012 and was enormously proud that both of his sons and all three of his grandsons are Eagle Scouts.

Ray was also committed to Free Masonry. He joined Orpheus Lodge #137, F&AM, in 1960. He served as Master of the lodge in 1968, and became its Secretary in 1969, a position he held until 2019. He was elected Grand Master of Masons of the State of New Jersey in 1996. His service to the Masonic Home, the Masonic Charity Foundation of New Jersey, National Sojourners, Heroes of ’76 including a term as National Commander, and many other charitable organizations made a difference in the lives of many individuals, especially children and young adults, around the world.

Ray loved his family deeply. He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Patricia DeVoe Black in 2017. He is survived by his brother Jim and his wife Dotty, of High Point, NC. Also surviving are his three children: John and his wife Sonja, of Springfield, VA; Barbara and her husband Keith Duclos, of Calabash, NC, and Eric and his wife Carole, of Milford, NJ. He was the best PopPop to five grandchildren: Jeffrey Duclos of Lansing, MI, Alex Vanden Berghe of Alexandria, VA, Amelia Vanden Berghe of Milford, NJ, Timothy Duclos of Calabash, NC, and Amy Vanden Berghe of Springfield, VA.

The family intends to hold a celebration of Ray’s life when we can safely gather a multitude of family and friends. In the meantime, reminiscences can be posted to Ray’s Facebook page or the Holcombe-Fisher online memorial. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Sergeantsville United Methodist Church, PO Box 51, or Sergeantsville Volunteer Fire Company, PO Box 87, Sergeantsville, NJ 08557 or the charity of one’s choice. A private inurnment service will be held at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, PA.