Raymond Laverty

Born in Astoria, NY, on June 5, 1935, to Elizabeth V. (Tobin) and Clifford J. Laverty, he graduated from Rutgers University with a BA in Economics. In 1959 he was drafted into the US Army counterintelligence unit and served three years in Germany. He returned stateside with his Austin-Healey and took up drag racing his 1965 Mustang in Englishtown, NJ.

Raymond (Ray) married Lenora (Lee) on May 16, 1970, and together they had two children, Mary Ann and Patrick Michael. Ray worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as a bank examiner for many years, commuting to NYC by train every day; on Fridays he came home with a dozen fresh bagels (minus one). He moved on to Colonial Bank in Cranford, NJ as VP-Finance, then ultimately retired from Bank of New York in Paterson, NJ.

“Railroad Ray” was an avid train and toy collector. Every item he acquired was carefully cleaned, repaired, and researched prior to being displayed in his collection. Family trips always included a train ride, toy museum visit or sleeping in a converted red caboose. Ray was a proud member of the Train Collector’s Association (TCA) in Strasburg, PA and always enjoyed the rowdy get-togethers of the “Rutgers Group.” He enjoyed watching Saturday night horror films with his daughter (Dracula and Frankenstein) and holiday classics with his son (March of the Wooden Soldiers, A Christmas Story and Polar Express). Ray is survived by his wife Lee, daughter Mary Ann, and son Patrick (Tania); grandchildren John Patrick and Giulia Grace; grand-dogs Pele, Louie, and Leo; several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. Ray was predeceased by his parents, brother, and beloved dog Baby.

FLORIDA

Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at Fountainhead Funeral Home, 7359 Babcock Street SE, Palm Bay. Visitation is from 2:00-3:00 with a service to follow from 3:00-4:00.

NEW JERSEY

Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Bermingham Funeral Home, 216 S Main Street, Wharton, NJ. Visitation is from 2:00-4:00, followed by a repass. A private interment will take place at Locust Hill Cemetery, Dover.

Fond memories and photos of Ray may be shared www.FountainheadFuneralHome.com for the Laverty family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ray’s name to the following organizations:

Train Collector’s Association (TCA) at https://www.tcatrains.org/support-us/donate-online/?fund=D11416

St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care at https://reflectionslsc.org/donate/