Obituary of Raymond J Gelardo

Raymond "Shorty" J. Gelardo, Sr., of Forest Grove, died Friday, March 2, 2012 at the South Jersey Hospital in Elmer. Born in Forest Grove, Raymond was a lifelong resident of Forest Grove and Franklin Township. He attended Clayton High School, where he was a cheerleader. He owned and operated Lazy R Ranch in Vineland. Raymond was a truck driver and delivery man for United Parcel for over 41 years, a former truck driver for Frank Preve Produce, and a cement truck driver for Vineland Transit Mix. Raymond loved his horses and giving pony rides to children. He is predeceased by his parents Angelo and Philomena (Levato) Gelardo, and a brother Peter Gelardo. Raymond is survived by his wife of 60 years Genevieve (Mattioli) Gelardo of Forest Grove, three sons Raymond Gelardo, Jr., and wife Theresa of Forest Grove, Angelo Gelardo and wife Joan of Forest Grove, and Vincent Gelardo and companion Marie of N. Carolina, two grandchildren Raymond Gelardo III and fianc Amanda, Stefanie Garofolo and husband Paul, four great grandchildren Raymond IV, and Blake, Gelardo, Dominick and Franco Garofolo, and sister Marie Crescitelli and husband John of Philadelphia, and several nieces and nephews. A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Our Lady of Victories Church, Landisville on Wednesday at 10am. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Relatives and friends will be received Tuesday evening from 6-8pm at DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home 2755 S. Lincoln Ave., Vineland, and Wednesday morning from 8:30-9:45 at the CHURCH. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the family for the grandchildren. Please visit dlfuneral.com to send condolences to the family.