ForeverMissed
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Raymond S. Slater of Millville, age 48, passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2015, at Cooper Hospital in Camden. He was born June 17, 1967, at Mountainside Hospital, Montclair, NJ, to Raymond C. Slater and Linda Rose Ruffalo.
He was a 1985 graduate of Millville Senior High School. Raymond received an Associate in Liberal Arts degree from Cumberland County College in 1993, his Bachelor of Arts degree from Rowan University in 1997, and his Master of Arts in Teaching degree for New Jersey City University in 2013.
He married Jessica Gayle Ferus on May 2, 2009, at The First Presbyterian Church of Millville.

Ray worked hard to put himself through school. He often recounted funny stories about his days working with friends at Color Tile. When Color Tile closed its doors Ray did odd jobs for his beloved Uncle Eddie and Mr. Casbarro or “Mr. C”, as Ray was fond of calling him. Ray also worked for many years as a land surveyor for different engineering firms before he realized his dream of teaching as a substitute teacher at Myron L Powell Elementary School in Cedarville. Ray went on to work for six years as a teacher of students with disabilities for The Devereux Foundation. When Devereux closed its school doors, Ray began substitute teaching for the Millville and Vineland Charter Schools.
Ray loved the outdoors. He loved to sit in the yard, soak in the sun and watch the variety of birds he attracted with his many bird feeders. He took his family on many epic road trip adventures camping and hiking from the Great Smokey Mountains to the White Mountains and everywhere in between. But above all Ray was a great teacher. He wasn’t always the most tactful in his delivery but he genuinely cared for and loved to encourage the people in his life. Ray just had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way.
Ray is survived by his wife, Jessica, three children: Raymond, Dreu, and Ian. He is also survived by his father, Raymond C. Slater and his eight brothers and sisters: Carlotta Slater, Spencer Slater, Edward Slater and wife Serina, Lara Slater, James Dowd Jr. and wife Rita, Zoe Wagner and husband Robert, Nicholas Palko, and Katelynn Palko. Ray also leaves behind several nieces, nephews and extended family.
Ray was preceded in death by his Mother, Linda (Ruffalo) Dowd.
A celebration of Ray’s life will be 3:00 pm Saturday, November 21, at The First Presbyterian Church of Millville on 2nd Street.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Raymond’s family at https://www.gofundme.com/s29283tb

November 6, 2017
November 6, 2017
Two years have gone by, and I continue to miss Ray. He was a friend. Friends are a rare gift, often taken for granted. I think about Ray very often. He truly was one of kind.
I am a better person for having known him. I am glad he called me friend.
November 20, 2015
November 20, 2015
Ray was one of a kind. A natural teacher, a voracious reader, he loved teaching. He was a very good friend. He let me seriously lean on him in a difficult time in my life. I will miss our walks were we discussed everything from fractals, Aristotle, Boxing, Medievel History and the fibonacci sequence. He was like a brother. RIP Ray. We will see other again one day.
November 20, 2015
November 20, 2015
Ray was a great teacher and I had the privilege of knowing him through work! He was always willing to help when needed and give an ear if I needed to rant about something! I will never forget how much of a Social Studies buff he was and laughed all of the time! RIP my friend and thanks for always helping all of the teachers at the school we taught at! I still have your letter of recommendation on my computer too! You always showed kindness and fly with the Angels! You will be missed by not only me but by so many other people too!
November 18, 2015
November 18, 2015
Ray was my very 1st best friend when him and his mom Linda lived next door to us. I remember playing in the yard together digging holes in the dirt with our mothers tablespoons because we couldn't find any shovels. Boy did we get in trouble for that one. If I remember Correctly we also had taken some pots to use as Buckets. Rest in peace Ray you will truly be missed.
November 18, 2015
November 18, 2015
Although I never met Ray, I had the pleasure & joy to give Jessica a Memorial Scholarship in my Daughter's name last year at our gala. It was a very special evening for both Jess & I. I know Jessica has strong beliefs, she is one of the best human beings I have ever had the pleasure to know, and I pray she & the boys, will find the strength, & peace they need to move forward.  I know Jess feels comfort he is with someone else she adores. Much love babe... Tracy xo
November 17, 2015
November 17, 2015
I was lucky to meet Ray and Jessica once and knew right away how special!
November 17, 2015
November 17, 2015
I never had the privilege of meeting Ray, but I saw the beautiful relationship he had with my friend Jessica. He was always so encouraging when it came to her education and dreams and talent. The zen garden he made for her was just one example of how he showed his love.  I rejoice in the time they had together and know that he will forever live in her heart until they are reunited in Heaven.
November 17, 2015
November 17, 2015
Ray was such a great and funny guy. He could get anyone to laugh. My husband new Ray well when they worked together in the land surveying business and when he worked at Color Tile... he told me that Ray had built a potato gun and used to shoot potatoes towards Route 55, they would look at the mess they made later to see smashed potatoes all over the road. I crack up every time my husband tells me that story, or when I drive past the Verizon store which used to be the home of Color Tile. My heart goes out to his wife and his children. He will be missed!

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November 6, 2017
November 6, 2017
Two years have gone by, and I continue to miss Ray. He was a friend. Friends are a rare gift, often taken for granted. I think about Ray very often. He truly was one of kind.
I am a better person for having known him. I am glad he called me friend.
November 20, 2015
November 20, 2015
Ray was one of a kind. A natural teacher, a voracious reader, he loved teaching. He was a very good friend. He let me seriously lean on him in a difficult time in my life. I will miss our walks were we discussed everything from fractals, Aristotle, Boxing, Medievel History and the fibonacci sequence. He was like a brother. RIP Ray. We will see other again one day.
November 20, 2015
November 20, 2015
Ray was a great teacher and I had the privilege of knowing him through work! He was always willing to help when needed and give an ear if I needed to rant about something! I will never forget how much of a Social Studies buff he was and laughed all of the time! RIP my friend and thanks for always helping all of the teachers at the school we taught at! I still have your letter of recommendation on my computer too! You always showed kindness and fly with the Angels! You will be missed by not only me but by so many other people too!
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