The following comes from the Daminger family.
Former Mantua Township mayor, teacher and local business owner Raymond Albert Daminger, Sr., 77, passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 15 after a courageous battle with lung cancer and Parkinson’s Disease.
A graduate of Pitman High School and the former Glassboro State College (Rowan University), Daminger taught Social Studies at C.W. Lewis Middle School in Blackwood for 18 years and was co-owner of Daminger’s Natural Pet Foods in Barnsboro from 1983 to 2005.
Ray found joy in community service, and served on the Mantua Township Committee from 1970 to 1985. He was mayor from 1971 to 1975 and again in 1983. In 1983, he was honored with a Citation of Merit by the Association of Small Communities of New Jersey. He also served on the Clearview Regional Board of Education as a member 1989 to 1991 and then president from 1991 to 1996. He was appointed to the Gloucester County Utilities Authority and served for 18 years, representing the interests of Mantua Township zealously.
Ray enjoyed spending time with his wife of 55 years, Rosalind, and children Shelley, Tracy, Melissa and Ray, Jr. In his retirement, Ray loved traveling throughout the US and the world with Roz. He was currently residing in Milton, Delaware, after initally retiring to Myrtle Beach in 2005. A huge advocate of education and service, Ray always encouraged his children and grandchildren to excel scholastically and to live with integrity.
