Raymond V. Eldridge

October 13, 1923 ~ May 14, 2009
Born in:
New Brunswick, NJ
Resided in:
Meadville, PA
Raymond V. Eldridge
Raymond V. Eldridge, 85, formerly of Pine Street, Meadville, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2009, at Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community.Ray was born in New Brunswick, N.J., on Oct. 13, 1923. He was a son of the late John E. Eldridge and Bertha Loewe Eldridge. He married Mary Alice Tote on Jan. 24, 1964. She preceded him in death on Feb. 29, 2005.He was a graduate of St. Peter's High School in New Brunswick and the National School of Photography in Silver Spring, Md. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II, having served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, aboard the Naval Destroyer, Escourt USS Loy. He was a professional photographer for the Daily Home News and Will Gainfort Portrait Studio in New Brunswick. He moved to Meadville in l968 to continue a career with the Prudential Insurance Co., from which he retired in l980. He was well known in Meadville for his portrayal of Santa Claus for many years, and for also creating beautiful sand paintings.Survivors include three sons, Raymond C. Eldridge of Bristol, Fla., William F. Eldridge and his wife, Sandy, of Chambersburg, and Patrick Napolitano and his wife, Leslie, of Oakland, Ark.; a brother, William Eldridge and his wife, Ann, of Somerset, N.J.; three grandchildren, Jason Napolitano, Staci Bearfield and Bobby Wagner; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Norris Eldridge, Robert Eldridge, John Eldridge and James Eldridge; and by a sister, Marie Greninger.Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at Roofner-Collins Funeral Home, 544 Chestnut St., Meadville. A vigil prayer service will be conducted at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Agatha Church, 353 Pine St., Meadville, with Father Raymond Gramata as celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Agatha Cemetery with full military honors conducted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006.Memorials can be made to Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community, 31 N. Park Ave., Meadville, Pa. 16335
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