Raymond Joseph Witte III

Born in Baltimore, MD, Raymond was raised in Newark, NJ, with his 6 brothers and sisters. He served in the Newark Fire Department as a firefighter, then as a captain for 32 years. He received commendations on many occasions for his skill and bravery. He retired in 2005 and began a second career as an educator of special needs students in Byram, Sparta, and Rockaway. He was also a passionate coach of high school sports, particularly women’s basketball.

Raymond brought his compassion, kindness, and dedication to everything he did. Even through his diagnosis of cancer and subsequent treatment, he continued to teach 7th grade class at Copeland Middle School in Rockaway.

Raymond was predeceased by his parents, Raymond and Susan (nee-Byrne) and his in-laws Sarah and Leslie Tortorella, sister Ruthann Witte Comiskey and brother James Witte.

Raymond is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia, who he married in 1982, his children Raymond IV and Jennifer, his daughter-in-law Amanda, his siblings, Susan O’Sullivan (nee-Witte), Dorothy Von Brook (nee-Witte) and her husband Karl, Michael and his wife Susan, Alice Anderson (nee-Witte), his God-Daughter Katie Tortorella, his beloved nieces and nephews, his dearest sister-in-law Kathy Tortorella, and his close friend Martha Paravati.

Please add:

Friends may call Monday, 2-4, 7-9pm at the Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main St., Sparta, NJ 07871. A funeral mass will be held 11am Tuesday at St. Joseph’s RC Church, 17 Elm St, Newton, NJ 07860. The Goble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

www.goblefuneral.com