Obituaries

Raymond D. Sooy Jr.

Age 95 ~ Longtime Cherry Hill Resident

Raymond D. Sooy, Jr., passed away on June 4, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He was 95 years old. He was born in Camden, NJ and resided in Cherry Hill for 61 years. Raymond is predeceased by his beloved wife of 71 years, Iolene. He is survived by his 5 children, Linda (Vince) Giangiulio of Delaware, Raymond E. (Maryann) Sooy of Cherry Hill, Janice (Robert) Elliott of Lawrenceville, Karen (Warren) Emenecker of Medford, Nancy Sooy (Jim McVeigh) of Marlton; his 7 grandchildren, Vincent R., Lauren, Michael (Neha), Ross (Vanessa), Michelle (Andrew), Raymond A., and Meghan; and 5 great-grandchildren, Vincent, Harper, Christopher, Marigold, and Nora. He is predeceased by dear sister Mary Randolph and parents Raymond D. Sr. and Caroline Sooy.

Ray (aka Skip or Hoot) worked for PSE&G for 41 years. He started as a helper and then became a Lineman/Troubleshooter/Foreman and finally, Division Line Supervisor before retiring in 1988. He was a lifelong avid baseball fan, from Woodrow Wilson High School baseball team captain to many years playing with various South Jersey teams. He cheered the Phillies at Shibe, Connie Mack, Veterans Stadium, and Citizens Bank Park. He enjoyed everything pertaining to cars, planes, and trains. He also loved traveling, either by car to visit the Atlantic City casinos, by plane to Las Vegas, or cruising to warm locations. As long as he had his girlfriend Iolene by his side, every trip was fun. He was a great bowler and avid golfer. He was known to enjoy a drink or two – VO (“Vatican Oil”) and water was his favorite – with a good cigar. He loved listening to Frank Sinatra songs and Glen Campbell’s Wichita Lineman, and was known to proclaim, “I could get drunk to this song!” After retiring, he enjoyed talking to neighbors as he took daily walks through the neighborhood, spending time with his family, and reminiscing about the good old days with his loyal and cherished PSE&G buddies. The Sooy family would like to extend a special thank you to Ursula, a true angel who helped our mom and dad when they (and we) needed her most. Ray would want everyone to know “old linemen never die, they just phase out.” Love you for all time, Pop. We’ll hear you singing in the wires.

Ray’s family will receive friends on Friday, June 10th, 6-8 PM at Kain-Murphy Funeral Services, 15 West End Ave., Haddonfield, NJ; All are invited to his Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, June 11th, 10 AM, at Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church, 43 W Maple Ave., Merchantville, NJ.  Interment, Calvary Cem., Cherry Hill, NJ.  Donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society, PO BOX 5066, Cherry Hill 08034 (www.cancer.org), or to Compassus Hospice, 200 Campbell Dr., Suite 106, Willingboro, NJ, 08046.