Raymond L. Tozer

He was born on August 14, 1963 in Millville, NJ, and an only child, to the late Raymond and Florence Tozer. His Aunt Elsie lived with them and was actively involved with raising Ray. She was a God-fearing woman and taught Ray much about the bible. Ray often joked it took two moms to raise him!!

Ray attended Millville High School. After graduation, he received a scholarship to Temple University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in May of 1985.

In 1989 a job opportunity would move Ray to Phoenix, where Arizona would eventually be the place he called his home.

In 1998 Ray met the love of his life, Cindy Zamenski, through mutual friends, Terry and Anne Duggan. Yes, Ray and Cindy were a blind date. Courting quickly, they moved along and Cindy invited Ray to her 20 year high school reunion. Soon thereafter they were on their way to the Jersey Shore to meet Ray's family and friends. And not long after that, Ray and his mother had a trip planned to go see friends on an ex-pat assignment in Scotland, a trip of a lifetime for both of them, Paris included. Ray would tell you he couldn't bear to be without Cindy for two and a half weeks, and he invited her to go. Of course she said yes! She knew it was true love when he downgraded their seats from business to coach! Only had so many miles.

Ray and Cindy were married in October of 1999. They spent much of their 25 years traveling and seeing parts of the world together.

Ray was an avid runner and hiker. He ran in the P.F. Chang's Rock n' Roll Marathon a few times. Ray and Cindy also ran together for several years in Pat's Run, honoring and supporting the Pat Tillman Foundation.

Ray was a BIG fan of the Arizona Cardinals, supporting his local team, and had season tickets from the moment he moved to Arizona.

Hobbies Ray & Cindy enjoyed together were bowling leagues - he was a REALLY good bowler!! They also enjoyed hiking, golfing, motorcycle riding, and beach time at the Jersey Shore.

Most of all, Ray enjoyed music. He was an accomplished base guitar player, forming his first band in high school with his childhood friends, jamming with them one more time just days before his death. He also enjoyed playing with the band and choir at our family church.

Coming from the "Garden State", Ray was an accomplished gardener. He maintained a vegetable and citrus garden all year long, along with seasonal flowers. So no surprise he loved to cook, and was really good at it! Making exquisite dishes for his family and friends, especially around the holidays and a head chef at many Arizona Cardinals tailgate parties.

Ray had a very successful business career and he told many before he passed away that his very last job at VmWare as a global customer service executive was the BEST job of his career, making Mark Kennedy the BETS boss he ever had.

Ray was highly focused on serving his team and helping them achieve their goals. After every meeting with someone, Cindy heard him say, "How else may I serve you today?" That is the kind of man and leader he was.

His peers would describe him in this way to his wife, Cindy after passing, "On behalf of VmWare Customer Service team, sending you our deepest condolences. We enjoyed working with Ray, a very kind and gentle soul with a generous heart. We will miss him dearly."

Ray is survived by his wife Cindy and she would tell you throughout his pain and suffering, he maintained his integrity and did not renounce God. He maintained his faith and accepted God's will for his life.

When asked by Cindy just days before his death if he felt God's presence, Ray said, "Yes, and His peace." May God have mercy on his soul.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com for the Tozer family.